What does a lead carpenter do?

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.
Lead carpenter responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real lead carpenter resumes:
- Manage complete renovations and new construction of banks for commercial construction company.
- Erect scaffolding, pump jacks, ladder jacks and ladders for assembling structures over head height.
- Erect scaffolding for buildings and ship structures and installs ladders, handrails, walkways, platforms and gangways.
- Remodel, framing, fire/flood restoration, demo and build back and new construction builds, install Sheetrock, special projects.
- Bore boltholes in timber, masonry or concrete walls, using power drill.
- Lead the coordination of projects with subcontractors such as plumbers, electricians, and HVAC.
- Oversee the duties of the painters, groundskeepers, electricians, HVAC, and carpenters.
- Fire proofing systems (fire rate walls, wall coverings and fire proof caulking).
- Steel stud commercial building framing, install hollow metal doors, door hardware, etc.
- Complete demo and up fit of station from bathrooms, ceilings, inside, and out.
- Experience in all phases of carpentry including demo, framing, and building of masonry forms.
- Metal stud framing light and heavy gauge using line and plumb lasers, drywall, grid ceilings ,
- Implement all federal (OSHA), state, and local job site safety requirements and employee training.
- Assist owner with residential remodeling projects, including carpentry, roofing, plumbing, masonry and tile work.
- Perform all phases of high end music studio construction from small remodel jobs to major grind breaking jobs lasting several years.
Lead carpenter skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Lead Carpenters are proficient in Safety Rules, Roofing, and Plumbing. They’re also known for soft skills such as Business skills, Detail oriented, and Dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Lead Carpenters that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Safety Rules, 12%
Follow established safety rules and regulations and maintain a safe and clean environment per historic building inspection code.
- Roofing, 11%
Supervised construction of residential home additions, roofing, decking and siding projects for a residential remodeling organization.
- Plumbing, 10%
Installed plumbing and electrical wiring for commercial and residential applications.
- Door Installation, 6%
Completed footing, form work, grade work, framing, window and door installation and setting trusses.
- Drywall Installation, 5%
General Construction: include framing, acoustic ceiling installation, trim carpentry, roof repair, drywall installation and painting.
- Power Saws, 4%
Operated power saws, drills, planers, and pneumatic equipment.
Common skills that a lead carpenter uses to do their job include "safety rules," "roofing," and "plumbing." You can find details on the most important lead carpenter responsibilities below.
Business skills. One of the key soft skills for a lead carpenter to have is business skills. You can see how this relates to what lead carpenters do because "self-employed carpenters must conduct activities such as bidding on new jobs, tracking inventory, and directing workers." Additionally, a lead carpenter resume shows how lead carpenters use business skills: "owned and operated business as framing and trim subcontractor, select remodeling and general construction. "
Detail oriented. Many lead carpenter duties rely on detail oriented. "carpenters must be able to precisely cut, measure, and modify the materials they work with.," so a lead carpenter will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways lead carpenter responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "coordinated with contractor with details of custom interior trim on custom homes in the debedui and pawley island area. "
Dexterity. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of lead carpenters is dexterity. This skill is critical to many everyday lead carpenter duties, as "carpenters use many tools and need hand-eye coordination to avoid injuring themselves or damaging materials." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "provided hands-on involvement with all aspects of roofing. "
Math skills. A big part of what lead carpenters do relies on "math skills." You can see how essential it is to lead carpenter responsibilities because "carpenters frequently use math skills, including basic trigonometry, to calculate the area, size, and amount of material needed for the job. ." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical lead carpenter tasks: "trained two, twenty week classes of pre-apprentices in general carpentry and safety and tutored them in job related math. "
Physical strength. Another common skill required for lead carpenter responsibilities is "physical strength." This skill comes up in the duties of lead carpenters all the time, as "carpenters use heavy tools and materials that weigh up to 100 pounds." An excerpt from a real lead carpenter resume shows how this skill is central to what a lead carpenter does: "job required working knowledge of general construction techniques and practices, and physical ability to perform said techniques and practices. "
Problem-solving skills. While "problem-solving skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to lead carpenter responsibilities. Much of what a lead carpenter does relies on this skill, seeing as "carpenters may work independently with little guidance." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of lead carpenters: "performed carpentry and operated gradeall directed and supervised laborers identified and resolved punch items and safety issues monitored punch list"
The three companies that hire the most lead carpenters are:
- Safway Group Holding LLC21 lead carpenters jobs
- Sunbelt Rentals4 lead carpenters jobs
- ServiceMaster Restore3 lead carpenters jobs
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Lead carpenter vs. Construction assistant
A construction assistant performs various clerical and operational support tasks to assist construction managers and maintain smooth workflow operations. Their responsibilities usually include monitoring budgets and costs, handling calls and correspondence, purchasing construction materials according to project requirements, liaising with suppliers and construction contractors, and participating in managing the schedules and activities of the workers. A construction assistant may also perform inspections to identify problem areas and ensure that all procedures adhere to the safety codes and standards.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, lead carpenter responsibilities require skills like "safety rules," "roofing," "plumbing," and "door installation." Meanwhile a typical construction assistant has skills in areas such as "general contractors," "equipment operators," "manual labor," and "construction management." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Construction assistants really shine in the construction industry with an average salary of $59,937. Comparatively, lead carpenters tend to make the most money in the construction industry with an average salary of $53,642.The education levels that construction assistants earn slightly differ from lead carpenters. In particular, construction assistants are 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a lead carpenter. Additionally, they're 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Lead carpenter vs. Construction foreman
A construction foreman is responsible for overseeing construction operations and determining the construction progress by monitoring plans and schedules. A construction foreman allocates tasks to the workers and ensures that everyone adheres to the safety guidelines and regulations, preventing potential hazards in the work area and avoiding construction delays. They also identify cost-reduction opportunities by handling negotiation with trusted suppliers and third-party vendors. A construction foreman inspects the quality of materials, including the equipment and machinery, allocates adequate resources for production, and resolves issues immediately.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, lead carpenter responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "door installation," "drywall installation," "rough carpentry," and "custom cabinets." Meanwhile, a construction foreman has duties that require skills in areas such as "work ethic," "cdl," "osha," and "strong work ethic." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, construction foremen earn a higher salary than lead carpenters. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, construction foremen earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $62,811. Whereas lead carpenters have higher pay in the construction industry, with an average salary of $53,642.In general, construction foremen achieve similar levels of education than lead carpenters. They're 0.1% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Lead carpenter vs. Construction supervisor
Construction supervisors ensure construction team members work jointly to deliver excellent work on time. They provide team-building sessions and training and monitor the construction processes. These professionals ensure the construction processes take place every time as per the safety regulations and health regulations. Besides creating budgets, project plans, reports and delivering them to the appropriate stakeholders, construction supervisors also perform routine site, material, and equipment inspections. They always remain updated about the construction advancements and construction safety codes.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from lead carpenter resumes include skills like "safety rules," "roofing," "plumbing," and "door installation," whereas a construction supervisor is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "osha," "project management," and "work ethic. "
Construction supervisors earn the best pay in the energy industry, where they command an average salary of $77,290. Lead carpenters earn the highest pay from the construction industry, with an average salary of $53,642.construction supervisors typically earn similar educational levels compared to lead carpenters. Specifically, they're 3.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Lead carpenter vs. Journeyman
A journeyman is an experienced worker whose role will vary on the line of industry where one is involved. They work without supervision from a master craftsman. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around performing manual work such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical and mechanical tasks, and other forms of trade. Furthermore, a journeyman can choose whether to work independently or to be part of a business entity. They can also recruit and train an apprentice, or even pursue to become a master in their preferred field.
Types of lead carpenter
Updated January 8, 2025











