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Lather vs finish carpenter

The differences between lathers 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 lather and a finish carpenter. Additionally, a finish carpenter has an average salary of $46,987, which is higher than the $40,660 average annual salary of a lather.

The top three skills for a lather include hand tools, and . The most important skills for a finish carpenter are hand tools, custom cabinets, and safety rules.

Lather vs finish carpenter overview

LatherFinish Carpenter
Yearly salary$40,660$46,987
Hourly rate$19.55$22.59
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs31411,653
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 58%High School Diploma, 36%
Average age4242
Years of experience1212

Lather vs finish carpenter salary

Lathers and finish carpenters have different pay scales, as shown below.

LatherFinish Carpenter
Average salary$40,660$46,987
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $64,000Between $34,000 And $63,000
Highest paying City-Boston, MA
Highest paying state-Massachusetts
Best paying company-Turner Construction
Best paying industry-Construction

Differences between lather and finish carpenter education

There are a few differences between a lather and a finish carpenter in terms of educational background:

LatherFinish Carpenter
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 58%High School Diploma, 36%
Most common majorHealth Care AdministrationBusiness
Most common college--

Lather vs finish carpenter demographics

Here are the differences between lathers' and finish carpenters' demographics:

LatherFinish Carpenter
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 94.4% Female, 5.6%Male, 96.5% Female, 3.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 33.2% Asian, 1.5% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%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 Percentage2%2%

Differences between lather and finish carpenter duties and responsibilities

Lather example responsibilities.

  • Determine amount of materials identify appropriate construction locations and transport scaffolding materials.
  • Perform sheetrock installation for multiple residential and commercial installations.

Finish carpenter example responsibilities.

  • Install cabinets, vinyl, FRP, carpet, windows, Sheetrock, painting, HVAC
  • Assist with electrical wiring and HVAC installation.
  • Operate tools like lather, drills, sanders and planers.
  • Demo rooms and add on with new framing Sheetrock and flooring.
  • Assist HVAC technicians with changing filters and belts on the air handler units.
  • Complete demo of existing cabinets, tile, drywall, electrical wirings, appliances etc.
  • Show more

Lather vs finish carpenter skills

Common lather skills
  • Hand Tools, 100%
Common finish carpenter skills
  • Hand Tools, 19%
  • Custom Cabinets, 13%
  • Safety Rules, 7%
  • Drywall Installation, 4%
  • Door Hardware, 4%
  • Window Installation, 3%

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