Helpers--Carpenters
Help carpenters by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
Also called: Carpenter Assistant · Carpenter Helper · Carpenter's Helper
Median pay (national)
$41,600
$31,540–$52,380 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
24,610
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+4.5%
~2,700 openings/yr
Typical entry
No formal educational credential
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for helpers--carpenters shows a relatively narrow range: the top 10% earn $52,380 versus $31,540 at the bottom 10% — 1.7x. The median of $41,600 leaves roughly 26% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +4.5% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 2,700 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 48 states with released data, New Hampshire pays the most for this role (median $49,990, +20% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $23,060 — a 117% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
Tailor your resume to Helpers--Carpenters
Honest tailoring
See how your resume lines up with Helpers--Carpenters
Refit re-angles your real experience toward this role using the skills above — and never invents skills you don't have. A no-fabrication gate checks every change before you see it.
Free. No account needed to see your first re-fit.
Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Mathematics
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- Select tools, equipment, or materials from storage and transport items to work site.
- Cut timbers, lumber, or paneling to specified dimensions.
- Position and hold timbers, lumber, or paneling in place for fastening or cutting.
- Hold plumb bobs, sighting rods, or other equipment to aid in establishing reference points and lines.
- Smooth or sand surfaces to remove ridges, tool marks, glue, or caulking.
- Perform tie spacing layout and measure, mark, drill or cut.
- Drill holes in timbers or lumber.
- Align, straighten, plumb, or square forms for installation.
Tools & technology
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Linux
- Microsoft Windows
- Oracle Database
- Salesforce software
- SAP software
- UNIX
- Bosch Punch List
- Cost estimating software
- Craftsman CD Estimator
- Drawing and drafting software
- Job costing software
- Quicken
- Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
Knowledge areas
- Building and Construction
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Transportation
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Production and Processing
- Design