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Framer vs trim carpenter

The differences between framers and trim 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 trim carpenter. Additionally, a trim carpenter has an average salary of $45,718, 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 trim carpenter are hand tools, work ethic, and window sills.

Framer vs trim carpenter overview

FramerTrim Carpenter
Yearly salary$34,298$45,718
Hourly rate$16.49$21.98
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs5,2474,929
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 44%High School Diploma, 43%
Average age4242
Years of experience1212

What does a framer do?

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.

What does a trim carpenter do?

A Trim Carpenter is a specialized worker whose task is to install and carry out repairs on molds and trim found on doors, windows, baseboards, and other ornamental pieces. He's also called a Finish Carpenter because his/her job also entails carrying out "finishing," generally making a carpentry project look detailed and defined in appearance, shape, and texture. Aside from leveling and trimming of windows and doors, you will also have to create pieces of customized woodworks that can serve as accessories for wooden fixtures.

Framer vs trim carpenter salary

Framers and trim carpenters have different pay scales, as shown below.

FramerTrim Carpenter
Average salary$34,298$45,718
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $45,000Between $34,000 And $60,000
Highest paying CityApple Valley, CATaunton, MA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyBuilders FirstSourceGeneral Electric
Best paying industryConstructionConstruction

Differences between framer and trim carpenter education

There are a few differences between a framer and a trim carpenter in terms of educational background:

FramerTrim Carpenter
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 44%High School Diploma, 43%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Framer vs trim carpenter demographics

Here are the differences between framers' and trim carpenters' demographics:

FramerTrim Carpenter
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 88.2% Female, 11.8%Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4%
Race ratioBlack 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, 7.1% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 1.6% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between framer and trim carpenter duties and responsibilities

Framer example responsibilities.

  • Build walls, soffits, bulkheads, jigs.
  • Build walls, soffits, bulk heads, jigs.
  • Help set up temporary scaffolding.
  • Install siding and shingles to exterior.
  • Light demo clean up and organization of construction materials.
  • Used impact drills, drivers, cut metal studs with snips
  • Show more

Trim carpenter example responsibilities.

  • Used woodworking tools such as jigsaws, planers, jointers, table saws and band saws.
  • Install and repair roofs, flashing/weatherproofing, HVAC, plumbing, and electric fixtures
  • Smooth or sand surfaces to remove ridges, tool marks, glue, or caulking.
  • Finish crown mold including caulking.
  • Focus on high-end remodel projects and new home construction.
  • Frame and sheet houses sometimes doing siding and shingles also
  • Show more

Framer vs trim carpenter skills

Common framer skills
  • Customer Service, 26%
  • Safety Rules, 13%
  • Nail Guns, 10%
  • Tape Measure, 10%
  • Window Frames, 6%
  • Sheetrock, 3%
Common trim carpenter skills
  • Hand Tools, 15%
  • Work Ethic, 11%
  • Window Sills, 9%
  • Safety Rules, 8%
  • Ladders, 7%
  • Scaffolding, 7%

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