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The differences between framers and lead 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 framer and a lead carpenter. Additionally, a lead carpenter has an average salary of $49,228, which is higher than the $34,298 average annual salary of a framer.
The top three skills for a framer include customer service, safety rules and nail guns. The most important skills for a lead carpenter are safety rules, roofing, and plumbing.
| Framer | Lead Carpenter | |
| Yearly salary | $34,298 | $49,228 |
| Hourly rate | $16.49 | $23.67 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 5,247 | 6,359 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A framer is responsible for devising work plans and assembling the framework structure essential for constructing houses and other facilities. Moreover, they are also responsible for finding the appropriate materials needed for the project, setting the budget, managing the schedule, and consulting with the client for their preferences. The duties of a framer mainly involve physical work and attention to detail. There are instances when one must operate various power tools and equipment, understand blueprints, and even climb up high places.
A lead carpenter is responsible for monitoring field carpenters on performing construction duties, analyzing schematics and blueprints, following clients' specifications, completing the project within the agreed timeframe, and maintaining materials with the budget goals, ensuring the highest quality and client's satisfaction. Lead carpenters regularly inspect the project, perform adjustments as needed, repair defects and inconsistencies, and adhere to the safety standards and protocols during operations. A lead carpenter must have excellent knowledge of the carpentry industry to handle clients' demands and efficiently create the finished product.
Framers and lead carpenters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Framer | Lead Carpenter | |
| Average salary | $34,298 | $49,228 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $45,000 | Between $36,000 And $65,000 |
| Highest paying City | Apple Valley, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Builders FirstSource | Brasfield & Gorrie |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a framer and a lead carpenter in terms of educational background:
| Framer | Lead Carpenter | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 44% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between framers' and lead carpenters' demographics:
| Framer | Lead Carpenter | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.2% Female, 11.8% | Male, 97.6% Female, 2.4% |
| Race ratio | 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, 1.1% | Black or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 1.6% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |