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The differences between lead carpenters and journeyman 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 lead carpenter and a journeyman carpenter. Additionally, a lead carpenter has an average salary of $49,228, which is higher than the $48,428 average annual salary of a journeyman carpenter.
The top three skills for a lead carpenter include safety rules, roofing and plumbing. The most important skills for a journeyman carpenter are hand tools, safety rules, and work ethic.
| Lead Carpenter | Journeyman Carpenter | |
| Yearly salary | $49,228 | $48,428 |
| Hourly rate | $23.67 | $23.28 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 6,359 | 8,871 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A lead carpenter is responsible for monitoring field carpenters on performing construction duties, analyzing schematics and blueprints, following clients' specifications, completing the project within the agreed timeframe, and maintaining materials with the budget goals, ensuring the highest quality and client's satisfaction. Lead carpenters regularly inspect the project, perform adjustments as needed, repair defects and inconsistencies, and adhere to the safety standards and protocols during operations. A lead carpenter must have excellent knowledge of the carpentry industry to handle clients' demands and efficiently create the finished product.
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.
Lead carpenters and journeyman carpenters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Carpenter | Journeyman Carpenter | |
| Average salary | $49,228 | $48,428 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $65,000 | Between $36,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | California |
| Best paying company | Brasfield & Gorrie | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a lead carpenter and a journeyman carpenter in terms of educational background:
| Lead Carpenter | Journeyman Carpenter | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between lead carpenters' and journeyman carpenters' demographics:
| Lead Carpenter | Journeyman Carpenter | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.6% Female, 2.4% | Male, 96.4% Female, 3.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 1.6% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |