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The differences between form carpenters and lead installers 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 lead installer. Additionally, a lead installer has an average salary of $59,596, 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 lead installer are HVAC, customer service, and hand tools.
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.
Lead installers are individuals who execute residential construction activities. The installers review the organization's blueprints with its sales, supervise the loading and unloading procedure, and manage the crew during the installation process. They set up and maintain the workstations, maintain the VoIP phone systems, and construct the cubicles for modular offices. The necessary skills for this job include customer service, knowledge of the installation process, and attention to detail. They are also expected to develop skills in communication, diligence, and the ability to follow instructions.
Form carpenters and lead installers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Form Carpenter | Lead Installer | |
| Average salary | $40,274 | $59,596 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $51,000 | Between $38,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | Denver, CO | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Turner Construction | PFS |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Energy |
There are a few differences between a form carpenter and a lead installer in terms of educational background:
| Form Carpenter | Lead Installer | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between form carpenters' and lead installers' demographics:
| Form Carpenter | Lead Installer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.5% Female, 2.5% | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% |
| 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, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.0% Asian, 1.6% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |