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General foreman vs carpenter helper

The differences between general foremen and carpenter helpers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes More than 10 years to become a general foreman, becoming a carpenter helper takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a general foreman has an average salary of $48,517, which is higher than the $34,192 average annual salary of a carpenter helper.

The top three skills for a general foreman include safety procedures, OSHA and safety rules. The most important skills for a carpenter helper are hand tools, ladders, and safety rules.

General foreman vs carpenter helper overview

General ForemanCarpenter Helper
Yearly salary$48,517$34,192
Hourly rate$23.33$16.44
Growth rate-3%2%
Number of jobs49,87529,208
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%High School Diploma, 53%
Average age4642
Years of experience-12

What does a general foreman do?

Using their knowledge and expertise of all construction disciplines, a general foreman plans and oversees operations within a construction site to ensure that everything is running smoothly. They are typically in charge of conducting regular inspections, coordinating with engineers and architects, managing the budget and expenditures, supervising workers, and ensuring that the project moves according to the desired time frame. Furthermore, a general foreman implements all safety regulations and policies to ensure a safe and productive work environment for everyone.

What does a carpenter helper do?

A carpenter helper is responsible for assisting carpenters with the construction duties, performing construction tasks as needed, and ensuring the completion of the project timely and efficiently. Carpenter helpers maintain the construction tools and equipment, including cleaning the materials before and after every use and inspecting for any possible defects. They also help with measuring surfaces to establish reference points for the installment of systems and other construction materials. A carpenter helper must have excellent communication and organizational skills, having the initiative to perform heavy-duty tasks under minimal supervision.

General foreman vs carpenter helper salary

General foremen and carpenter helpers have different pay scales, as shown below.

General ForemanCarpenter Helper
Average salary$48,517$34,192
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $62,000Between $25,000 And $45,000
Highest paying CitySaint Louis, MONorthampton, MA
Highest paying stateConnecticutMassachusetts
Best paying companyPacifiBlack & Veatch
Best paying industryConstructionConstruction

Differences between general foreman and carpenter helper education

There are a few differences between a general foreman and a carpenter helper in terms of educational background:

General ForemanCarpenter Helper
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%High School Diploma, 53%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

General foreman vs carpenter helper demographics

Here are the differences between general foremen' and carpenter helpers' demographics:

General ForemanCarpenter Helper
Average age4642
Gender ratioMale, 97.0% Female, 3.0%Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 21.6% Asian, 1.4% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 1.7% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between general foreman and carpenter helper duties and responsibilities

General foreman example responsibilities.

  • Manage and supervise residential remodel and new construction projects.
  • Install EMT, ridge, and PVC conduit systems for the protection and utilization of electrical wiring.
  • Work with many types of PVC style roof systems ..
  • Instruct on how to properly rig parts on flat bar, load and unload trucks
  • Clean and maintain seal coat rig including removing and replacing gaskets, spools and pipe.
  • Work involve using of hand and power tools, wedges, dogs, and turnbuckles.
  • Show more

Carpenter helper example responsibilities.

  • Put up and dismantle scaffolding, shoring, bracing, ladders, handrails, platforms and gangways.
  • Cut and put up Sheetrock, as well as cement board.
  • Apply caulking compounds by hand and with caulking gun to seal crevices.
  • Assist lead carpenter with various jobs, including hanging Sheetrock and painting.
  • Assist in demo and construction of homes with water and/or fire damage.
  • Assist lead carpenter of demo and remodeling that mainly consist in kitchen and bathrooms.
  • Show more

General foreman vs carpenter helper skills

Common general foreman skills
  • Safety Procedures, 11%
  • OSHA, 9%
  • Safety Rules, 8%
  • Quality Standards, 6%
  • Oversight, 5%
  • Safety Policies, 5%
Common carpenter helper skills
  • Hand Tools, 30%
  • Ladders, 13%
  • Safety Rules, 7%
  • Scaffolding, 6%
  • Door Frames, 6%
  • Caulking, 4%

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