Skip to content
AffordMap
Salary comparison

Helpers--Carpenters vs. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers out-earn Helpers--Carpenters by $36K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Helpers--Carpenters land at $43,780 and First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers at $79,920. The education gap is real: helpers--carpenter programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction worker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Helpers--Carpenters is New Hampshire ($58,090); for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers it's Washington ($109,570).

Helpers--Carpenters
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Median salary
$43,780
$79,920
Hourly rate
$21.05/hr
$38.42/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$31,660
$53,280
Senior level (90th %)
$57,670
$128,260
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
21,680
812,210
Job growth (10-year)
4.5%
5.3%
Category
Construction & Trades
Construction & Trades
Top-paying state
New Hampshire
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Helpers--Carpenters median pay.

State
Helpers--Carpenters
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Connecticut
$50,460
$92,260
Rhode Island
$50,300
$98,590
California
$49,890
$97,680
Massachusetts
$48,130
$97,850
New York
$47,740
$95,700
Washington
$46,060
$109,570
Illinois
$45,660
$105,750
Hawaii
$44,550
$102,630
Vermont
$44,550
$82,490
New Jersey
$44,040
$105,510
Oregon
$43,260
$103,070
Indiana
$42,940
$82,530
Wisconsin
$39,480
$85,350
Alaska
$39,210
$102,140
Missouri
$32,420
$87,520

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Helpers--Carpenters or First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers earn more nationally. The median is $43,780 for Helpers--Carpenters versus $79,920 for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers, a difference of $36K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Helpers--Carpenters or First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 5.3% projected growth, compared to 4.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Helpers--Carpenters or First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers?

Helpers--Carpenters typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Helpers--Carpenters get paid the most?

New Hampshire is the top-paying state for Helpers--Carpenters at $58,090/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Helpers--Carpenters vs. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Connecticut, Helpers--Carpenters earn $50,460 vs. $92,260 for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Helpers--Carpenters salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Helpers--Carpenters by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a helpers--carpentersGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workersGuide →