Construction & Extraction
Helpers--Carpenters
Also called: Carpenter Apprentice, Carpenter Assistant, Carpenter Helper
US median pay
$43,780
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-1.7%
declining
Openings a year (US)
2,000
21,900 employed
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Help carpenters by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
What they do day to day
- Erect scaffolding, shoring, or braces.
- Clean work areas, machines, or equipment, to maintain a clean and safe job site.
- Align, straighten, plumb, or square forms for installation.
- Select tools, equipment, or materials from storage and transport items to work site.
- Fasten timbers or lumber with glue, screws, pegs, or nails and install hardware.
- Position and hold timbers, lumber, or paneling in place for fastening or cutting.
- Cut timbers, lumber, or paneling to specified dimensions.
- Hold plumb bobs, sighting rods, or other equipment to aid in establishing reference points and lines.
- Cut or weld metal.
- Drill holes in timbers or lumber.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.0/5
- Time Management2.9/5
- Operations Monitoring2.9/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9/5
- Equipment Selection2.9/5
- Repairing2.6/5
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security3.9/5
- Building and Construction3.6/5
- English Language3.5/5
- Mathematics3.3/5
- Mechanical3.2/5
- Production and Processing3.1/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): No formal educational credential.
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.