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The differences between form carpenters and journeyman 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 journeyman carpenter. Additionally, a journeyman carpenter has an average salary of $48,428, 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 journeyman carpenter are hand tools, safety rules, and work ethic.
| Form Carpenter | Journeyman Carpenter | |
| Yearly salary | $40,274 | $48,428 |
| Hourly rate | $19.36 | $23.28 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 4,775 | 8,871 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| 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.
Journeyman carpenters perform carpentry work in buildings and repair structures and elements, primarily by using wood and metal. Journeyman carpenters work directly in a team while reporting to a foreman. Most construction companies, builders, and construction staff hire journeyman carpenters to work mostly during daytime weekday shifts, but evening shifts, weekend, and on-call basis hours are sometimes required. Travel is commonly required for this job, as journeyman carpenters go to and from different supply houses, job sites, and the company shop.
Form carpenters and journeyman carpenters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Form Carpenter | Journeyman Carpenter | |
| Average salary | $40,274 | $48,428 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $51,000 | Between $36,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | Denver, CO | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Turner Construction | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a form carpenter and a journeyman carpenter in terms of educational background:
| Form Carpenter | Journeyman 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 journeyman carpenters' demographics:
| Form Carpenter | Journeyman Carpenter | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.5% Female, 2.5% | Male, 96.4% Female, 3.6% |
| 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, 7.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 1.6% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |