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The differences between form carpenters and finish carpenters 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 finish carpenter. Additionally, a finish carpenter has an average salary of $46,987, which is higher than the $40,274 average annual salary of a form carpenter.
The top three skills for a form carpenter include hand tools, ladders and scaffolding. The most important skills for a finish carpenter are hand tools, custom cabinets, and safety rules.
| Form Carpenter | Finish Carpenter | |
| Yearly salary | $40,274 | $46,987 |
| Hourly rate | $19.36 | $22.59 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 4,775 | 11,653 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| 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.
Finish carpenters are skilled professionals who perform the final touches on homes after the structure is fully built. These carpenters must carry out various tasks such as installing doors, building bookshelves, and adding designs to window and door trims. They are required to follow work from sketches and drawings to complete the job to the right specifications as well as collecting the correct materials before beginning a job. Finish carpenters must also dismantle and demolish before carrying out repairs or installing new materials.
Form carpenters and finish carpenters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Form Carpenter | Finish Carpenter | |
| Average salary | $40,274 | $46,987 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $51,000 | Between $34,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | Denver, CO | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Turner Construction | Turner Construction |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a form carpenter and a finish carpenter in terms of educational background:
| Form Carpenter | Finish Carpenter | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between form carpenters' and finish carpenters' demographics:
| Form Carpenter | Finish Carpenter | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.5% Female, 2.5% | Male, 96.5% Female, 3.5% |
| 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, 7.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 1.6% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |