Helpers--Carpenters
47-3012.00
Help carpenters by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
Sample of reported job titles: Carpenter Assistant, Carpenter Helper, Carpenter's Helper
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
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Clean work areas, machines, or equipment, to maintain a clean and safe job site.
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Fasten timbers or lumber with glue, screws, pegs, or nails and install hardware.
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Perform tie spacing layout and measure, mark, drill or cut.
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Select tools, equipment, or materials from storage and transport items to work site.
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Drill holes in timbers or lumber.
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Cut timbers, lumber, or paneling to specified dimensions.
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Position and hold timbers, lumber, or paneling in place for fastening or cutting.
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Align, straighten, plumb, or square forms for installation.
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Hold plumb bobs, sighting rods, or other equipment to aid in establishing reference points and lines.
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Erect scaffolding, shoring, or braces.
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Construct forms and assist in raising them to the required elevation.
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Install handrails under the direction of a carpenter.
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Glue and clamp edges or joints of assembled parts.
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Smooth or sand surfaces to remove ridges, tool marks, glue, or caulking.
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Secure stakes to grids for constructions of footings, nail scabs to footing forms, and vibrate and float concrete.
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Cut and install insulating or sound-absorbing material.
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Cut tile or linoleum to fit and spread adhesives on flooring for installation.
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Cover surfaces with laminated plastic covering material.
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Cut or weld metal.
Technology Skills
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Computer aided design CAD software — Drawing and drafting software
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Project management software — Bosch Punch List; Cost estimating software; Craftsman CD Estimator; Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal
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Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
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Performing General Physical Activities — Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
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Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
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Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
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Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
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Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
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Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
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Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
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Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
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Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
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Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
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Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
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Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
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Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
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Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
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Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
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Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Detailed Work Activities
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Mark reference points on construction materials.
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Clean equipment or facilities.
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Install wooden structural components.
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Measure materials or objects for installation or assembly.
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Move construction or extraction materials to locations where they are needed.
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Select construction equipment.
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Select construction materials.
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Drill holes in construction materials.
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Cut wood components for installation.
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Position structural components.
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Position construction forms or molds.
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Assemble temporary equipment or structures.
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Build construction forms or molds.
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Assist skilled construction or extraction personnel.
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Install building fixtures.
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Apply adhesives to construction materials.
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Smooth surfaces with abrasive materials or tools.
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Cut carpet, vinyl or other flexible materials.
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Compact materials to create level bases.
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Finish concrete surfaces.
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Install insulation in equipment or structures.
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Apply protective coverings to objects or surfaces near work areas.
Work Context
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Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets — 89% responded “Every day.”
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Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams — 67% responded “Every day.”
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Spend Time Standing — 83% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
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Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls — 72% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
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Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable — 62% responded “Every day.”
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Contact With Others — 61% responded “Constant contact with others.”
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Exposed to Hazardous Equipment — 71% responded “Every day.”
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Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 53% responded “Extremely important.”
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Health and Safety of Other Workers — 48% responded “Very high responsibility.”
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Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions — 50% responded “Every day.”
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Freedom to Make Decisions — 50% responded “Some freedom.”
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Physical Proximity — 48% responded “Moderately close (at arm's length).”
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Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team — 51% responded “Extremely important.”
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Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals — 40% responded “Some freedom.”
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Time Pressure — 53% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
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Exposed to Contaminants — 54% responded “Every day.”
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Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions — 39% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
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Telephone Conversations — 45% responded “Every day.”
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Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions — 37% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
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Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings — 43% responded “Every day.”
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Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers — 31% responded “Very high responsibility.”
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Consequence of Error — 47% responded “Very serious.”
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Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — 46% responded “Moderate results.”
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Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body — 38% responded “Less than half the time.”
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Frequency of Decision Making — 40% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
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Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures — 49% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
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Level of Competition — 27% responded “Moderately competitive.”
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Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities — 55% responded “Important.”
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Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled — 43% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
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Conflict Situations — 24% responded “Once a year or more but not every month.”
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Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection — 39% responded “Every day.”
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Exposed to High Places — 29% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
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Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling — 30% responded “More than half the time.”
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Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles — 41% responded “Less than half the time.”
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Duration of Typical Work Week — 53% responded “40 hours.”
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Spend Time Walking or Running — 28% responded “Less than half the time.”
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Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions — 31% responded “Never.”
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Exposed to Whole Body Vibration — 39% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
Experience Requirements
Job Zone
- Title
- Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
- Related Experience
- Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
- Job Training
- Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
- Job Zone Examples
- These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
- SVP Range
- (4.0 to < 6.0)
Training & Credentials
- State training
- Local training
- Certifications
Apprenticeship Opportunities
Worker Requirements
Skills
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Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
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Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
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Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
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Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Knowledge
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Building and Construction — Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
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Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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Mechanical — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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Transportation — Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
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English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
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Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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Production and Processing — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
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Design — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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Public Safety and Security — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
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Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
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Education and Training — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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Telecommunications — Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
Worker Characteristics
Abilities
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Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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Arm-Hand Steadiness — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
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Manual Dexterity — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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Extent Flexibility — The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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Multilimb Coordination — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
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Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
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Static Strength — The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
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Category Flexibility — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
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Control Precision — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
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Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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Depth Perception — The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
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Finger Dexterity — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
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Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
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Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Reaction Time — The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
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Selective Attention — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
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Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
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Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
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Trunk Strength — The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
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Visualization — The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Interests
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Realistic — Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
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Conventional — Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
Work Values
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Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
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Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
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Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Work Styles
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Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
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Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
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Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
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Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
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Innovation — Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
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Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.
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Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
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Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
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Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
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Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
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Independence — Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
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Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
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Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
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Self-Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
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Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
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Social Orientation — Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Workforce Characteristics
Wages & Employment Trends
- Median wages (2024)
- $20.00 hourly, $41,600 annual
- State wages
- Local wages
- Employment (2023)
- 22,300 employees
- Projected growth (2023-2033)
- Decline (-1% or lower)
- Projected job openings (2023-2033)
- 2,300
- State trends
- Top industries (2023)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024 wage data external site and 2023-2033 employment projections external site. “Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2023-2033). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.
Job Openings on the Web
- State job openings
- Local job openings
More Information
Related Occupations
Professional Associations
Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.
- American Subcontractors Association external site
- Associated Builders and Contractors external site
- Associated General Contractors of America external site
- Construction Specifications Institute external site
- Home Builders Institute external site
- National Association of Home Builders external site
- National Association of the Remodeling Industry external site
Regional Associations
- American Institute of Constructors external site
- Central South Carpenters Regional Council external site
- Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters external site
- Laborers' International Union of North America external site
- National Center for Construction Education and Research external site
- North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters external site
- Southeastern Carpenters Regional Council external site
- Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters external site
- United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America external site