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The differences between masons and finish carpenters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a mason, becoming a finish carpenter takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a finish carpenter has an average salary of $46,987, which is higher than the $43,974 average annual salary of a mason.
The top three skills for a mason include masonry, scaffolding and safety regulations. The most important skills for a finish carpenter are hand tools, custom cabinets, and safety rules.
| Mason | Finish Carpenter | |
| Yearly salary | $43,974 | $46,987 |
| Hourly rate | $21.14 | $22.59 |
| Growth rate | -2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 15,057 | 11,653 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
A mason is responsible for shaping artificial mineral products, concrete blocks, stone pieces, and bricks to create structures essential for construction or other building purposes using various machinery and equipment, following the highest safety standards and production procedures. Masons analyze schematics and blueprints, applying the clients' specifications and customization to their product expertise. They also inspect tools and equipment, ensuring that the materials are free from any defects to avoid hazards and construction delays.
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.
Masons and finish carpenters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mason | Finish Carpenter | |
| Average salary | $43,974 | $46,987 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $67,000 | Between $34,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Pella | Turner Construction |
| Best paying industry | - | Construction |
There are a few differences between a mason and a finish carpenter in terms of educational background:
| Mason | Finish Carpenter | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between masons' and finish carpenters' demographics:
| Mason | Finish Carpenter | |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.7% Female, 21.3% | Male, 96.5% Female, 3.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.1% Asian, 2.1% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | 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 | 1% | 2% |