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The differences between lead carpenters and trim 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 trim carpenter. Additionally, a lead carpenter has an average salary of $49,228, which is higher than the $45,718 average annual salary of a trim carpenter.
The top three skills for a lead carpenter include safety rules, roofing and plumbing. The most important skills for a trim carpenter are hand tools, work ethic, and window sills.
| Lead Carpenter | Trim Carpenter | |
| Yearly salary | $49,228 | $45,718 |
| Hourly rate | $23.67 | $21.98 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 6,359 | 4,929 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 43% |
| 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.
A Trim Carpenter is a specialized worker whose task is to install and carry out repairs on molds and trim found on doors, windows, baseboards, and other ornamental pieces. He's also called a Finish Carpenter because his/her job also entails carrying out "finishing," generally making a carpentry project look detailed and defined in appearance, shape, and texture. Aside from leveling and trimming of windows and doors, you will also have to create pieces of customized woodworks that can serve as accessories for wooden fixtures.
Lead carpenters and trim carpenters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Carpenter | Trim Carpenter | |
| Average salary | $49,228 | $45,718 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $65,000 | Between $34,000 And $60,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | Taunton, MA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | California |
| Best paying company | Brasfield & Gorrie | General Electric |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a lead carpenter and a trim carpenter in terms of educational background:
| Lead Carpenter | Trim Carpenter | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 43% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between lead carpenters' and trim carpenters' demographics:
| Lead Carpenter | Trim Carpenter | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.6% Female, 2.4% | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% |
| 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, 7.1% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 1.6% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |