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Journeyman carpenter vs construction inspector

The differences between journeyman carpenters and construction inspectors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a journeyman carpenter, becoming a construction inspector takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a construction inspector has an average salary of $52,306, which is higher than the $48,428 average annual salary of a journeyman carpenter.

The top three skills for a journeyman carpenter include hand tools, safety rules and work ethic. The most important skills for a construction inspector are asphalt, ACI, and construction inspection.

Journeyman carpenter vs construction inspector overview

Journeyman CarpenterConstruction Inspector
Yearly salary$48,428$52,306
Hourly rate$23.28$25.15
Growth rate2%-4%
Number of jobs8,87142,007
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age4250
Years of experience126

What does a journeyman carpenter do?

Journeyman carpenters perform carpentry work in buildings and repair structures and elements, primarily by using wood and metal. Journeyman carpenters work directly in a team while reporting to a foreman. Most construction companies, builders, and construction staff hire journeyman carpenters to work mostly during daytime weekday shifts, but evening shifts, weekend, and on-call basis hours are sometimes required. Travel is commonly required for this job, as journeyman carpenters go to and from different supply houses, job sites, and the company shop.

What does a construction inspector do?

A construction inspector is an individual who is responsible for inspecting construction sites to ensure that these sites are following local and building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations, and contract specifications. Construction inspectors use survey equipment, metering devices, and test equipment to perform inspections of plumbing, electrical and other systems within the construction. They approve building plans that are satisfactory and issue violation notices and stop orders when there are violations. Construction inspectors also keep photographs taken during inspections and provide written documentation.

Journeyman carpenter vs construction inspector salary

Journeyman carpenters and construction inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Journeyman CarpenterConstruction Inspector
Average salary$48,428$52,306
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $63,000Between $36,000 And $75,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAOakland, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyPacific Northwest National LaboratoryOrange County Sanitation District
Best paying industryConstructionProfessional

Differences between journeyman carpenter and construction inspector education

There are a few differences between a journeyman carpenter and a construction inspector in terms of educational background:

Journeyman CarpenterConstruction Inspector
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorBusinessCivil Engineering
Most common college-San Diego State University

Journeyman carpenter vs construction inspector demographics

Here are the differences between journeyman carpenters' and construction inspectors' demographics:

Journeyman CarpenterConstruction Inspector
Average age4250
Gender ratioMale, 96.4% Female, 3.6%Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9%
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, 1.2%Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 3.4% White, 68.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage2%5%

Differences between journeyman carpenter and construction inspector duties and responsibilities

Journeyman carpenter example responsibilities.

  • Manage complete renovations and new construction of banks for commercial construction company.
  • Supervise construction of residential home additions, roofing, decking and siding projects for a residential remodeling organization.
  • Manage complete renovations and new construction of banks for commercial construction company.

Construction inspector example responsibilities.

  • Manage cad files and plotting operations, as cad manager.
  • Monitor new field inspector's performance and lead them into Bechtel's management program.
  • Manage and inspect fiber optic cable placement, fiber drop installations and associate construction activities for an assign OSP project.
  • Coordinate, manage, and conduct geotechnical engineering and engineering geology subsurface investigations.
  • Comply with fra, dot, osha.
  • Assist in running pigs and tie-ins.
  • Show more

Journeyman carpenter vs construction inspector skills

Common journeyman carpenter skills
  • Hand Tools, 14%
  • Safety Rules, 10%
  • Work Ethic, 10%
  • Ladders, 10%
  • Scaffolding, 8%
  • Scissor Lifts, 6%
Common construction inspector skills
  • Asphalt, 9%
  • ACI, 8%
  • Construction Inspection, 8%
  • Construction Projects, 7%
  • Construction Management, 6%
  • Traffic Control, 6%

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