How to become a helpers--carpenter
Help carpenters by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
What helpers--carpenters do
- Clean work areas, machines, or equipment, to maintain a clean and safe job site.
- Select tools, equipment, or materials from storage and transport items to work site.
- 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.
- Drill holes in timbers or lumber.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Mathematics
- Writing
Is helpers--carpenter a good career?
On the numbers, this job is close to the average across occupations. Median pay is 14% below the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Where it pays most
- Colorado $50,900
- Connecticut $50,460
- Maine $50,100
- California $49,890
- Massachusetts $48,130
Helpers--Carpenters salary by state and city
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.