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The differences between journeyman carpenters and finish 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 journeyman carpenter and a finish carpenter. Additionally, a journeyman carpenter has an average salary of $48,428, which is higher than the $46,987 average annual salary of a finish carpenter.
The top three skills for a journeyman carpenter include hand tools, safety rules and work ethic. The most important skills for a finish carpenter are hand tools, custom cabinets, and safety rules.
| Journeyman Carpenter | Finish Carpenter | |
| Yearly salary | $48,428 | $46,987 |
| Hourly rate | $23.28 | $22.59 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 8,871 | 11,653 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
Finish carpenters are skilled professionals who perform the final touches on homes after the structure is fully built. These carpenters must carry out various tasks such as installing doors, building bookshelves, and adding designs to window and door trims. They are required to follow work from sketches and drawings to complete the job to the right specifications as well as collecting the correct materials before beginning a job. Finish carpenters must also dismantle and demolish before carrying out repairs or installing new materials.
Journeyman carpenters and finish carpenters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Journeyman Carpenter | Finish Carpenter | |
| Average salary | $48,428 | $46,987 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $63,000 | Between $34,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | Turner Construction |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a journeyman carpenter and a finish carpenter in terms of educational background:
| Journeyman Carpenter | Finish Carpenter | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between journeyman carpenters' and finish carpenters' demographics:
| Journeyman Carpenter | Finish Carpenter | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.4% Female, 3.6% | Male, 96.5% Female, 3.5% |
| 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, 1.2% | Black or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 1.6% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |