Helpers--Carpenters Career, Salary and Skills
Helpers--Carpenters have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $43,780 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 21,680. Wage data is published for 143 locations.
Occupation description
Help carpenters by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
O*NET code
47-3012.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
Not recorded
Experience
Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
National salary and employment
Median annual
$43,780
Hourly median
$21.05
Employment
21,680
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Monitoring | 3.00 | 2.38 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.00 | 2.25 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.00 | 2.12 |
| Active Listening | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Coordination | 3.00 | 3.12 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.00 | 2.75 |
| Speaking | 3.00 | 2.38 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.88 | 2.25 |
| Active Learning | 2.88 | 2.12 |
| Equipment Selection | 2.88 | 2.12 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Hold plumb bobs, sighting rods, or other equipment to aid in establishing reference points and lines.
- Cut timbers, lumber, or paneling to specified dimensions.
Technology
- Job costing software
- Linux
- Bosch Punch List
- Cost estimating software
- Craftsman CD Estimator
- Drawing and drafting software
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Windows
Helpers--Carpenters salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Helpers--Carpenters Salary in CAMedian $49,890 · Employment 2,670
- Helpers--Carpenters Salary in TXMedian $43,950 · Employment 2,270
- Helpers--Carpenters Salary in FLMedian $40,220 · Employment 2,120
- Helpers--Carpenters Salary in PRMedian $24,530 · Employment 1,410
- Helpers--Carpenters Salary in New York, NYMedian $48,850 · Employment 1,360
- Helpers--Carpenters Salary in VAMedian $43,730 · Employment 1,200
- Helpers--Carpenters Salary in NYMedian $47,740 · Employment 1,110
- Helpers--Carpenters Salary in San Juan, PRMedian $26,380 · Employment 1,010
- Helpers--Carpenters Salary in LAMedian $40,900 · Employment 860
- Helpers--Carpenters Salary in NJMedian $44,040 · Employment 840
- Helpers--Carpenters Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $64,810 · Employment 750
- Helpers--Carpenters Salary in Houston, TXMedian $44,600 · Employment 740
Related careers
- BoilermakersNational median $76,410
- Structural Metal Fabricators and FittersNational median $51,330
- Terrazzo Workers and FinishersNational median $76,170
- Layout Workers, Metal and PlasticNational median $63,870
- Cement Masons and Concrete FinishersNational median $57,020
- Reinforcing Iron and Rebar WorkersNational median $58,970
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile InstallersNational median $58,930
- Plasterers and Stucco MasonsNational median $57,660
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.