What does a residential carpenter do?
Residential carpenter responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real residential carpenter resumes:
- Manage complete renovations and new construction of banks for commercial construction company.
- Concrete formwork in building parking structures condominiums and commercial apartment complexes.
- Manage complete renovations and new construction of banks for commercial construction company.
Residential carpenter skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Residential Carpenters are proficient in Roofing, Plumbing, and Drywall Installation. They’re also known for soft skills such as Business skills, Detail oriented, and Dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Residential Carpenters that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Roofing, 16%
Worked on framing, roofing, remodeling, cabinet install, door hanging, trim work.
- Plumbing, 14%
Performed a wide variety of duties including framing, sheet rock, flooring and plumbing.
- Drywall Installation, 7%
Performed seasonal work as a rough-in carpenter, including framing, drywall installation and building reinforcement for a commercial building rehab/restoration.
- Power Saws, 6%
Cut materials to specified sizes for installation using power saws and tile cutters for 4 6 carpenters at a time.
- Hand Tools, 5%
Completed jobs using a variety of hand tools, portable power tools, shop equipment, and standard measuring instruments.
- Power Tools, 5%
Performed concrete construction, exterior remodeling, interior remodeling and operation of most power tools.
Most residential carpenters use their skills in "roofing," "plumbing," and "drywall installation" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential residential carpenter responsibilities here:
Business skills. The most essential soft skill for a residential carpenter to carry out their responsibilities is business skills. This skill is important for the role because "self-employed carpenters must conduct activities such as bidding on new jobs, tracking inventory, and directing workers." Additionally, a residential carpenter resume shows how their duties depend on business skills: "assist skilled workers to complete residential, commercial and small business construction projects on-time and on-budget. "
Detail oriented. Many residential carpenter duties rely on detail oriented. "carpenters must be able to precisely cut, measure, and modify the materials they work with.," so a residential carpenter will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways residential carpenter responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "installed exposed hvac duct with meticulous attention to detail. "
Dexterity. This is an important skill for residential carpenters to perform their duties. For an example of how residential carpenter responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "carpenters use many tools and need hand-eye coordination to avoid injuring themselves or damaging materials." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a residential carpenter: "have experience in plumbing,elec,roofing,can operate forklift,frontend loader,tractor,mini and more".
Math skills. For certain residential carpenter responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "math skills." The day-to-day duties of a residential carpenter rely on this skill, as "carpenters frequently use math skills, including basic trigonometry, to calculate the area, size, and amount of material needed for the job. ." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what residential carpenters do: "increased math skills along with reading a tape measure and using all equipment necessary to build and remodel. "
Physical strength. Another common skill required for residential carpenter responsibilities is "physical strength." This skill comes up in the duties of residential carpenters all the time, as "carpenters use heavy tools and materials that weigh up to 100 pounds." An excerpt from a real residential carpenter resume shows how this skill is central to what a residential carpenter does: "keep working area cleaned and organized physical labor shoveling, chip concrete etc. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill commonly found on residential carpenter job descriptions is "problem-solving skills." It can come up quite often in residential carpenter duties, since "carpenters may work independently with little guidance." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day residential carpenter responsibilities: "design and implement creative solutions following building code and strict safety regulations"
The three companies that hire the most residential carpenters are:
- Neil Kelly4 residential carpenters jobs
- Handyman Connection3 residential carpenters jobs
- BOWA2 residential carpenters jobs
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Compare different residential carpenters
Residential carpenter vs. Framer
A framer is responsible for devising work plans and assembling the framework structure essential for constructing houses and other facilities. Moreover, they are also responsible for finding the appropriate materials needed for the project, setting the budget, managing the schedule, and consulting with the client for their preferences. The duties of a framer mainly involve physical work and attention to detail. There are instances when one must operate various power tools and equipment, understand blueprints, and even climb up high places.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between residential carpenters and framer. For instance, residential carpenter responsibilities require skills such as "roofing," "plumbing," "door hardware installation," and "drywall installation." Whereas a framer is skilled in "customer service," "taking care," "construction sites," and "staple gun." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Framers really shine in the construction industry with an average salary of $39,620. Comparatively, residential carpenters tend to make the most money in the construction industry with an average salary of $50,252.The education levels that framers earn slightly differ from residential carpenters. In particular, framers are 1.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a residential carpenter. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Residential carpenter vs. Builder
Builders are responsible for managing, coordinating, and working on the construction. They are also responsible for repairing and maintaining commercial and residential buildings. They oversee a project by either making arrangements with subcontractors to finish specific jobs or doing the work themselves. Builders need to ensure that the construction projects meet their client's requirements as well as the government and industry regulations. They often perform their work in an industrial setting. Their day-to-day activity depends on their specialization and level of experience.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that residential carpenter responsibilities requires skills like "roofing," "plumbing," "door hardware installation," and "drywall installation." But a builder might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "work ethic," "construction sites," "c #," and "windows."
Builders earn a lower average salary than residential carpenters. But builders earn the highest pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $42,512. Additionally, residential carpenters earn the highest salaries in the construction with average pay of $50,252 annually.builders earn similar levels of education than residential carpenters in general. They're 3.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Residential carpenter vs. Pallet builder
Window installers are skilled workers who take measurements and help install or replace windows in both residential and commercial buildings. These window installers are required to inspect all the new windows in buildings to demonstrate to their customers that all products are properly installed as well as to satisfy their customers. They must install various window treatments in houses and offices so that they can enhance the look of the area. Window installers must also maintain excellent customer relationships during the window installation process while following safety requirements.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a residential carpenter is likely to be skilled in "roofing," "plumbing," "door hardware installation," and "drywall installation," while a typical pallet builder is skilled in "pallets," "electric pallet jack," "build pallets," and "safety standards."
Pallet builders earn the highest salary when working in the hospitality industry, where they receive an average salary of $40,282. Comparatively, residential carpenters have the highest earning potential in the construction industry, with an average salary of $50,252.When it comes to education, pallet builders tend to earn similar degree levels compared to residential carpenters. In fact, they're 0.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Residential carpenter vs. Window installer
Types of residential carpenter
Updated January 8, 2025
