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General helper vs construction apprentice

The differences between general helpers and construction apprentices can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a construction apprentice has an average salary of $47,983, which is higher than the $35,793 average annual salary of a general helper.

The top three skills for a general helper include tape measure, pallets and hand tools. The most important skills for a construction apprentice are hand tools, demolition, and ladders.

General helper vs construction apprentice overview

General HelperConstruction Apprentice
Yearly salary$35,793$47,983
Hourly rate$17.21$23.07
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs69,73840,760
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 34%
Average age3939
Years of experience--

What does a general helper do?

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.

What does a construction apprentice do?

Construction apprentices are individuals who are trained by experienced professionals for entry-level tasks involving the trade of construction work on the job. Their complimentary training experience helps them to become skilled in a specific trade by combining hands-on work and classroom learning, as they apply the lessons learned through working. Since apprenticeship is considered full-time employment with an average length of 3-4 years, these individuals are being paid just like other employees and may soon have a permanent job.

General helper vs construction apprentice salary

General helpers and construction apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.

General HelperConstruction Apprentice
Average salary$35,793$47,983
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $43,000Between $32,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CityChicago, IL-
Highest paying stateConnecticut-
Best paying companyBarry-Wehmiller-
Best paying industryMedia-

Differences between general helper and construction apprentice education

There are a few differences between a general helper and a construction apprentice in terms of educational background:

General HelperConstruction Apprentice
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 34%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

General helper vs construction apprentice demographics

Here are the differences between general helpers' and construction apprentices' demographics:

General HelperConstruction Apprentice
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 77.4% Female, 22.6%Male, 92.8% Female, 7.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 30.7% Asian, 2.5% White, 50.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 29.8% Asian, 2.6% White, 51.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between general helper and construction apprentice duties and responsibilities

General helper example responsibilities.

  • Operate grinders, saws, CNC machines, punch press, straighten metal parts, and package products for immediate shipment.
  • Require bundling of steel tubing.
  • Calculate requirements, using basic math.
  • Assist with reading and mathematics lessons as a small group leader.
  • Be sure to have proper PPE and equipment need in case of emergency.
  • Used hand tools such as rakes, hedge and brush trimmers and brooms.
  • Show more

Construction apprentice example responsibilities.

  • Fix electrical fixtures and manage plumbing problems effectively.
  • Remodel houses and learned carpentry, plumping, HVAC and tiling for rental homes own by the companyOwner.
  • Apply caulking compounds by hand or caulking gun to seal.
  • Operate power tools, measuring equipment, mechanical hoists and other instruments to complete jobs.
  • Set braces to support the sides of excavations, clean up rubble/debris and remove waste materials.
  • Perform maintenance tasks including basic electric circuit and plumbing.
  • Show more

General helper vs construction apprentice skills

Common general helper skills
  • Tape Measure, 11%
  • Pallets, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 7%
  • Machine Operators, 6%
  • Math, 5%
  • Data Entry, 5%
Common construction apprentice skills
  • Hand Tools, 15%
  • Demolition, 8%
  • Ladders, 8%
  • Safety Rules, 7%
  • Roofing, 6%
  • Tape Measure, 6%

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