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The differences between form carpenters and carpenter helpers 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 a carpenter helper. Additionally, a form carpenter has an average salary of $40,274, which is higher than the $34,192 average annual salary of a carpenter helper.
The top three skills for a form carpenter include hand tools, ladders and scaffolding. The most important skills for a carpenter helper are hand tools, ladders, and safety rules.
| Form Carpenter | Carpenter Helper | |
| Yearly salary | $40,274 | $34,192 |
| Hourly rate | $19.36 | $16.44 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 4,775 | 29,208 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| 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.
A carpenter helper is responsible for assisting carpenters with the construction duties, performing construction tasks as needed, and ensuring the completion of the project timely and efficiently. Carpenter helpers maintain the construction tools and equipment, including cleaning the materials before and after every use and inspecting for any possible defects. They also help with measuring surfaces to establish reference points for the installment of systems and other construction materials. A carpenter helper must have excellent communication and organizational skills, having the initiative to perform heavy-duty tasks under minimal supervision.
Form carpenters and carpenter helpers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Form Carpenter | Carpenter Helper | |
| Average salary | $40,274 | $34,192 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $51,000 | Between $25,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | Denver, CO | Northampton, MA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Turner Construction | Black & Veatch |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a form carpenter and a carpenter helper in terms of educational background:
| Form Carpenter | Carpenter Helper | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between form carpenters' and carpenter helpers' demographics:
| Form Carpenter | Carpenter Helper | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.5% Female, 2.5% | Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1% |
| 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, 7.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 1.7% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |