Helpers–Carpenters: Job Description
Help carpenters by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
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What Tasks Do Helpers–Carpenters Perform?
The core tasks performed by helpers–carpenters include:
- Clean work areas, machines, or equipment, to maintain a clean and safe job site.
- Fasten timbers or lumber with glue, screws, pegs, or nails and install hardware.
- Perform tie spacing layout and measure, mark, drill or cut.
- Select tools, equipment, or materials from storage and transport items to work site.
- Drill holes in timbers or lumber.
- Cut timbers, lumber, or paneling to specified dimensions.
- Position and hold timbers, lumber, or paneling in place for fastening or cutting.
- Align, straighten, plumb, or square forms for installation.
Skills and Knowledge
Successful helpers–carpenters combine a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Key Skills
The competencies that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Top Knowledge Areas
Other Helpers–Carpenters Job Titles
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Beam Builder Helper
- Building Carpenter Helper
- Cabinetmaker Helper
- Carpenter Assistant
- Carpenter Helper
- Carpenter Mate
- Carpenter's Helper
- Construction Carpenter's Helper
How Many Helpers–Carpenters Are There?
There are about 321,022 helpers–carpenters working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to decline by -3.5% over the projection horizon.
Salary for Helpers–Carpenters
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $52,288 |
| Hourly median | $25.14 |
| 10th percentile | $31,678 |
| 25th percentile | $41,983 |
| 75th percentile | $62,593 |
| 90th percentile | $72,898 |
Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Helpers–Carpenters Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $49,990 |
| District of Columbia | $48,890 |
| Oregon | $47,020 |
| Washington | $47,010 |
| Connecticut | $46,090 |
| California | $45,760 |
| Rhode Island | $45,760 |
| Colorado | $44,880 |
| Arkansas | $44,520 |
| Virginia | $43,560 |
| Maine | $43,470 |
| Georgia | $43,210 |
| Utah | $43,090 |
| Ohio | $42,920 |
| Michigan | $42,870 |
| Florida | $42,740 |
| North Carolina | $42,320 |
| New Jersey | $41,600 |
| Montana | $41,600 |
| Kansas | $40,960 |
| New York | $40,870 |
| Pennsylvania | $40,690 |
| Hawaii | $40,550 |
| Idaho | $40,550 |
| Arizona | $40,500 |
| Tennessee | $40,210 |
| Vermont | $40,040 |
| Texas | $39,930 |
| Indiana | $39,760 |
| Maryland | $38,980 |
| Louisiana | $38,580 |
| Nebraska | $38,350 |
| Wisconsin | $38,220 |
| Alaska | $38,090 |
| Mississippi | $37,380 |
| Illinois | $36,650 |
| South Carolina | $36,460 |
| New Mexico | $36,240 |
| Alabama | $36,170 |
| West Virginia | $36,020 |
| Massachusetts | $35,870 |
| Oklahoma | $35,260 |
| Nevada | $35,210 |
| Kentucky | $33,610 |
| Delaware | $32,610 |
| South Dakota | $30,790 |
| Iowa | $27,830 |
| Puerto Rico | $23,060 |
Where Helpers–Carpenters Earn the Most
Compensation for helpers–carpenters shift depending on where you work. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $45,276 | 19.6% | 1.32 |
| New England | $44,488 | 1.5% | 2.36 |
| Rocky Mountains | $42,845 | 6.7% | 2.41 |
| Southeast | $41,582 | 35.2% | 1.60 |
| Great Lakes | $40,439 | 6.7% | 0.43 |
| Southwest | $39,935 | 13.1% | 0.99 |
| Middle Atlantic | $39,799 | 9.1% | 1.10 |
| Plains States | $34,092 | 3.1% | 3.96 |
Where the Jobs Cluster
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | WA | $60,860 | 30 |
| Bend, OR | OR | $58,070 | |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $56,720 | |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | OR | $49,920 | |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | CA | $49,150 | 140 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | FL | $48,260 | 100 |
| Reno, NV | NV | $47,610 | 70 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | FL | $47,410 | 380 |
Which Industries Hire Helpers–Carpenters
The bulk of helpers–carpenters work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 21,790 | $41,600 |
| Manufacturing | 730 | $37,030 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 710 | $42,940 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 260 | $37,030 |
| Retail Trade | 240 | $44,310 |
| Information | 240 | n/a |
| Educational Services | 50 | $28,060 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 50 | $29,640 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tech Stack
- Accounting software: Intuit QuickBooks (hot technology)
- Operating system software: Linux (hot technology)
- Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Document management software: Microsoft SharePoint (hot technology)
- Operating system software: Microsoft Windows (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Data base user interface and query software: Oracle Database (hot technology)
- Customer relationship management CRM software: Salesforce software (hot technology)
Work Environment
The work environment for helpers–carpenters is shaped by the following characteristics:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Spend Time Standing
- Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
Education and Training
Most helpers–carpenters positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This career aligns with Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Related Careers
Similar Occupations
- Boilermakers (Supplemental)
- Brickmasons and Blockmasons (Supplemental)
- Carpenters (Primary-Long)
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers (Supplemental)
- Terrazzo Workers and Finishers (Supplemental)
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (Supplemental)
- Plasterers and Stucco Masons (Supplemental)
- Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers (Supplemental)
References
Statistics shown above are sourced from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 47-3012.00 (Helpers–Carpenters).
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