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What does a form setter do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
What does a form setter do
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Form setter responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real form setter resumes:

  • Hand engraving, cast cleaning and solder assembly as needed.
  • Install flashing and water diversion systems as well as caulking and sealing joints.
  • Gain proficiency in laser repair and fabrication for gold and platinum, and polish in accordance with strict brand standards.
  • Stamp and expose sidewalks and patios
  • Grade & compact fresh dirt in accordance to specifications using pneumatic tampers & come alongs.
  • Work with Meva and Efco forms

Form setter skills and personality traits

We calculated that 15% of Form Setters are proficient in Hand Tools, Sidewalks, and Concrete Structures. They’re also known for soft skills such as Mechanical skills, Math skills, and Color vision.

We break down the percentage of Form Setters that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Hand Tools, 15%

    Build wooden molds and clamp around area to be repaired, using hand tools.

  • Sidewalks, 7%

    Stamped and exposed sidewalks and patios

  • Concrete Structures, 7%

    Finished concrete structures using concrete finishing tools.

  • Tape Measure, 6%

    Trained in use of tape measure, chalk line, level, and laser level to set grade levels.

  • Ladders, 6%

    Work on top of stilts, ladders, and the top beams of buildings Accomplishments Remodel homes and businesses.

  • Read Blueprints, 6%

    Lead finisher, layout foundations, read blueprints, operate skid loader, set concrete forms, pour and finish concrete

"hand tools," "sidewalks," and "concrete structures" are among the most common skills that form setters use at work. You can find even more form setter responsibilities below, including:

Mechanical skills. The most essential soft skill for a form setter to carry out their responsibilities is mechanical skills. This skill is important for the role because "construction laborers are frequently required to operate and maintain equipment, such as jackhammers." Additionally, a form setter resume shows how their duties depend on mechanical skills: "formed and finished concrete walls formed and tied rebar while in harness mechanical work built concrete structures"

Math skills. Another essential skill to perform form setter duties is math skills. Form setters responsibilities require that "construction laborers and some helpers need to perform basic math calculations while measuring on jobsites or assisting a surveying crew." Form setters also use math skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "can read blueprints, shoot grades and very good with mathatics. "

Color vision. form setters are also known for color vision, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to form setter responsibilities, because "construction laborers and helpers may need to be able to distinguish colors to do their job." A form setter resume example shows how color vision is used in the workplace: "divide, colorado [ ] concrete foundations company formsetter/ layout person l set forms for concrete foundations. "

Physical strength. For certain form setter responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "physical strength." The day-to-day duties of a form setter rely on this skill, as "construction laborers and helpers must often lift heavy materials or equipment." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what form setters do: "assisted in the day to day activities of setting headstones, mostly physical labor. "

Most common form setter skills

The three companies that hire the most form setters are:

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Compare different form setters

Form setter vs. Labour contractor

Helpers/apprentices are skilled employees who are responsible for performing various tasks that are related to the construction industry while learning the trade from a skilled employer. These employees must assist skilled tradesmen by performing general construction duties while following the rules and safety regulations of OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). They must gain experience in the electrical field and assist HVAC contractors in repairing and maintaining air conditioning equipment. Helpers/apprentices must also learn how to use different power and hand tools properly.

If we compare the average form setter annual salary with that of a labour contractor, we find that labour contractors typically earn a $7,146 lower salary than form setters make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both form setter and labour contractor positions are skilled in construction projects, bobcat, and construction sites.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between form setters and labour contractor. For instance, form setter responsibilities require skills such as "hand tools," "sidewalks," "concrete structures," and "tape measure." Whereas a labour contractor is skilled in "safety procedures," "windows," "contract labor," and "snow removal." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Labour contractors tend to reach similar levels of education than form setters. In fact, labour contractors are 2.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Form setter vs. Helper/apprentice

General helpers are skilled workers who help other workers by performing tasks that need less skill, such as holding materials or tools and cleaning work areas and equipment. These helpers are required to provide general labor support to all departments while performing a variety of job assignments. They must ensure that everyone in an organization is following safety rules and inspect areas for safety hazards. General helpers must also perform constant quality checks on the organization's establishments using its quality guidelines and operating procedures.

A career as a helper/apprentice brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a form setter. In fact, helper/apprentices salary is $6,842 lower than the salary of form setters per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Form setters and helper/apprentices both require similar skills like "hand tools," "tape measure," and "construction projects" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real form setter resumes. While form setter responsibilities can utilize skills like "sidewalks," "concrete structures," "ladders," and "read blueprints," helper/apprentices use skills like "general construction," "plumbing," "osha," and "hvac."

Helper/apprentices earn a lower average salary than form setters. But helper/apprentices earn the highest pay in the construction industry, with an average salary of $35,929. Additionally, form setters earn the highest salaries in the construction with average pay of $41,071 annually.In general, helper/apprentices achieve similar levels of education than form setters. They're 1.1% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Form setter vs. General helper

Construction workers are part of a crew laborers responsible for a number of easy to extremely challenging and hazardous on-site constructions tasks such as preparing the area, clearing debris, building scaffolding, bracing, loading and unloading building materials, and assisting with operating heavy equipment like concrete mixers. They specialize in a variety of occupations that involve building homes and businesses, roads and highways, tearing down properties, removing high-risk materials, and in the digging of tunnels and mine shafts. They test machinery and equipment to ensure they are working properly. They may also transport stocks and materials from suppliers and vehicles to the job site.

On average, general helpers earn lower salaries than form setters, with a $3,474 difference per year.By looking over several form setters and general helpers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "hand tools," "tape measure," and "safety regulations." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from form setter resumes include skills like "sidewalks," "concrete structures," "ladders," and "read blueprints," whereas a general helper is more likely to list skills in "pallets," "machine operators," "math," and "data entry. "

General helpers make a very good living in the media industry with an average annual salary of $39,286. On the other hand, form setters are paid the highest salary in the construction industry, with average annual pay of $41,071.general helpers typically earn similar educational levels compared to form setters. Specifically, they're 0.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Form setter vs. Construction worker

Construction workers typically earn lower pay than form setters. On average, construction workers earn a $7,425 lower salary per year.While their salaries may vary, form setters and construction workers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "tape measure," "construction projects," and "bobcat. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between form setters and construction workers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a form setter might have more use for skills like "hand tools," "sidewalks," "concrete structures," and "ladders." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of construction workers require skills like "roofing," "safety rules," "sheetrock," and "equipment operators. "

Construction workers enjoy the best pay in the construction industry, with an average salary of $32,326. For comparison, form setters earn the highest salary in the construction industry.In general, construction workers hold similar degree levels compared to form setters. Construction workers are 1.0% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of form setter

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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