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The differences between form carpenters and apprentices carpenter can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a form carpenter and an apprentice carpenter. Additionally, a form carpenter has an average salary of $40,274, which is higher than the $37,902 average annual salary of an apprentice carpenter.
The top three skills for a form carpenter include hand tools, ladders and scaffolding. The most important skills for an apprentice carpenter are hand tools, ladders, and caulking.
| Form Carpenter | Apprentice Carpenter | |
| Yearly salary | $40,274 | $37,902 |
| Hourly rate | $19.36 | $18.22 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 4,775 | 17,370 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 45% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A form carpenter, also known as a formwork carpenter, specializes in creating frameworks, constructing scaffolding, and assembling forms from different materials such as wood, metal, or even plastic. Most form carpenters work on large-scale commercial projects such as bridges, buildings, and other tall structures. Their daily tasks may also include climbing up high places, lifting moderate to heavy forms, cutting and shaping materials, and securing frameworks before filling them with concrete. Moreover, as a form carpenter, it is crucial to maintain an active communication line with co-workers while adhering to the safety standards and regulations.
An apprentice carpenter is responsible for assisting the carpenter on construction operations, ensuring the adherence to safety protocols, and following clients' specifications. Apprentice carpenters monitor carpentry tools and equipment adequacy, inspect the items for any defects for immediate repair or replacements, and analyze blueprints and schematics, especially for installing systems and essential components on the construction. An apprentice carpenter must have excellent organizational and time-management skills and extensive knowledge of the carpentry industry to support the project completion for the customer's satisfaction.
Form carpenters and apprentices carpenter have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Form Carpenter | Apprentice Carpenter | |
| Average salary | $40,274 | $37,902 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $51,000 | Between $30,000 And $47,000 |
| Highest paying City | Denver, CO | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Turner Construction | Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a form carpenter and an apprentice carpenter in terms of educational background:
| Form Carpenter | Apprentice Carpenter | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 45% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between form carpenters' and apprentices carpenter' demographics:
| Form Carpenter | Apprentice Carpenter | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.5% Female, 2.5% | Male, 93.3% Female, 6.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 1.6% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 1.6% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |