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Helpers–Carpenters in California

Considering working as a Helpers–Carpenters in California? Here’s what you need to know. Help carpenters by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment. Construction laborers who do not primarily assist carpenters are classified under “Construction Laborers” (47-2061). Apprentice workers are classified with the appropriate skilled construction trade occupation (47-2011 through 47-2231).

What do Helpers–Carpenters Make in California?

For helpers–carpenters working in California, the median annual wage is $45,760 per year (or about $22.00/hour).Earnings range from $36,950 at the 10th percentile to $84,860 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$36,950	$17.77
25th percentile	$42,740	$20.55
Median (50th)	$45,760	$22.00
75th percentile	$52,710	$25.34
90th percentile	$84,860	$40.80

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in California compared to the national average — is 0.78, indicating fewer helpers–carpenters per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, helpers–carpenters earn a median of $52,288 per year ($25.14/hour), below the California median.

Employment Outlook

There are roughly 321,022 helpers–carpenters nationwide. In California alone, approximately 2,250 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 310 helpers–carpenters.

Top California Metros for Helpers–Carpenters

The metro areas below employ the most helpers–carpenters in California.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	180	$43,120
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	140	$49,150
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	40	$46,920

Top States for Helpers–Carpenters Employment

These states have the highest employment of helpers–carpenters work.

State	Number Employed
Florida	2,480
California	2,250
Texas	2,110
Virginia	1,610
Washington	1,240
Puerto Rico	1,080
Pennsylvania	880
Louisiana	670
Tennessee	630
Utah	620
Arizona	610
North Carolina	590
Georgia	530
New Jersey	430
South Dakota	420
Alabama	400
Ohio	380
Montana	370
Maryland	350
Colorado	310

Highest-Paying States for Helpers–Carpenters

Where helpers–carpenters earn the most: helpers–carpenters.

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

Skills

The most important helpers–carpenters skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

Key abilities for helpers–carpenters, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Common tasks 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.
• Hold plumb bobs, sighting rods, or other equipment to aid in establishing reference points and lines.
• Erect scaffolding, shoring, or braces.
• Construct forms and assist in raising them to the required elevation.
• Install handrails under the direction of a carpenter.

Work Activities

• Performing General Physical Activities
• Handling and Moving Objects
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
• Getting Information
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Controlling Machines and Processes
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Thinking Creatively
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Intuit QuickBooks, Linux

Related Careers

Related occupations to helpers–carpenters include:

• Boilermakers
• Brickmasons and Blockmasons
• Carpenters
• Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
• Terrazzo Workers and Finishers
• Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers

Also Known As

Beam Builder Helper, Building Carpenter Helper, Cabinetmaker Helper, Carpenter Assistant, Carpenter Helper, Carpenter Mate, Carpenter's Helper, Construction Carpenter's Helper, Cooper Helper, Hammerer Helper, Hardwood Floor Installation Helper, Helper, House Carpenter Helper, Joiner Helper, Shipwright Helper.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 47-3012.00