Post job

Union carpenter vs apprentice carpenter

The differences between union carpenters and apprentices carpenter can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a union carpenter and an apprentice carpenter. Additionally, a union carpenter has an average salary of $46,816, which is higher than the $37,902 average annual salary of an apprentice carpenter.

The top three skills for a union carpenter include safety rules, drywall installation and stud. The most important skills for an apprentice carpenter are hand tools, ladders, and caulking.

Union carpenter vs apprentice carpenter overview

Union CarpenterApprentice Carpenter
Yearly salary$46,816$37,902
Hourly rate$22.51$18.22
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs5,00917,370
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 45%
Average age4242
Years of experience1212

What does a union carpenter do?

A Union Carpenter is a skilled tradesman who works with wood and any other building trade materials. Union carpenters are national union members who are doing carpentry tasks. They negotiate on behalf of the union members. Often, they receive higher wages due to the collective representation and bargaining from the union. They also make drywall repair, custom cabinets, window frames, rough carpentry, safety rules, and project layout.

What does an apprentice carpenter do?

An apprentice carpenter is responsible for assisting the carpenter on construction operations, ensuring the adherence to safety protocols, and following clients' specifications. Apprentice carpenters monitor carpentry tools and equipment adequacy, inspect the items for any defects for immediate repair or replacements, and analyze blueprints and schematics, especially for installing systems and essential components on the construction. An apprentice carpenter must have excellent organizational and time-management skills and extensive knowledge of the carpentry industry to support the project completion for the customer's satisfaction.

Union carpenter vs apprentice carpenter salary

Union carpenters and apprentices carpenter have different pay scales, as shown below.

Union CarpenterApprentice Carpenter
Average salary$46,816$37,902
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $63,000Between $30,000 And $47,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Best paying industry-Construction

Differences between union carpenter and apprentice carpenter education

There are a few differences between a union carpenter and an apprentice carpenter in terms of educational background:

Union CarpenterApprentice Carpenter
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 45%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Union carpenter vs apprentice carpenter demographics

Here are the differences between union carpenters' and apprentices carpenter' demographics:

Union CarpenterApprentice Carpenter
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 95.2% Female, 4.8%Male, 93.3% Female, 6.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 1.6% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 1.6% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between union carpenter and apprentice carpenter duties and responsibilities

Union carpenter example responsibilities.

  • Perform general carpentry, specializing in the installation of acoustic ceilings and sheetrock.
  • Coordinate with electricians plumbers and HVAC sub-contractors.
  • Use of acoustical caulking on walls for sound proofing.
  • damage repair, color matching, touch up and high end caulking detail.
  • Overlook all trades (carpenters, electricians, plumber, hvac, welders, equipment operators, surveyors )
  • Utilize the formwork supply by the contractor to build forms design to construct concrete buildings, bridges and tunnels.
  • Show more

Apprentice carpenter example responsibilities.

  • Operate tools ranging from drills, caulking guns, tape measure to chop saws, table saws, skill saws.
  • Provide help with certain tasks such as drywall, paint, caulking and framing, brickwork, roofing, and landscaping.
  • Trim work, framing, paint, Sheetrock.
  • Maintain a clean work site, while utilizing the proper PPE.
  • Help with multiple side jobs and bathroom renovations, from demo to finish.
  • Operate a terrain telescoping man lift, backhoe, skid steer and tractor.
  • Show more

Union carpenter vs apprentice carpenter skills

Common union carpenter skills
  • Safety Rules, 16%
  • Drywall Installation, 12%
  • Stud, 9%
  • Construction Projects, 6%
  • Blueprint Specifications, 6%
  • Acoustical Ceilings, 5%
Common apprentice carpenter skills
  • Hand Tools, 19%
  • Ladders, 10%
  • Caulking, 9%
  • Work Ethic, 9%
  • Scaffolding, 9%
  • Reference Points, 7%

Browse construction and extraction jobs