Skills it runs on
The capabilities O*NET rates most important for this occupation — the human ground the work is built on.
See all skills →Helpers--Carpenters
Occupation · SOC 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.
Also called: Carpenter Assistant · Carpenter Helper · Carpenter's Helper · Beam Builder Helper · Building Carpenter Helper · Cabinetmaker Helper · Carpenter Mate · Construction Carpenter's Helper · Cooper Helper · Hammerer Helper · Hardwood Floor Installation Helper · Helper
Job family: Construction and Extraction Occupations
Take this to your AI
A source-stamped Markdown brief of this occupation — paste it into an agent, or fetch
/roles/role-47-3012-00/context.md directly.
AI work map
A fast read on where AI already shows up in this occupation, where it stays a copilot, where humans remain in the loop, and what the labor market is doing. Built from observed Claude.ai conversations mapped to O*NET tasks and from published research — measures of usage and exposure, not advice or predictions that the job is going away.
Market signal
Independent published positions, read together — not a forecast.
- About average employment outlook (+4.5% by 2034)
- 2,700 openings/yr
- Low AI exposure
- Median pay $41,600/yr
- Work is mostly on-site (not teleworkable)
- 2013 flagged this for computerization (82nd); today's AI task-overlap is comparatively low (2nd)
2nd-percentile task overlap — yet about 2,700 openings a year (+4.5% projected, BLS) . What exposure means →
AI & job outlook
What today's research says about this occupation's exposure to AI, how AI is actually being used in it, and where employment is headed. These are positions within published studies — measures of exposure and usage, not predictions that this job will disappear.
Exposure to current AI
Each study uses its own scale, so the raw scores are not comparable across rows — the percentile (this job's rank among all U.S. occupations with data) is the comparable figure, and sizes the bars.
| Measure | Rank vs all occupations | Percentile | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) Low | 6th | -1.4 | |
| LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) Low | 3rd | 0.0 | |
| AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) Low | 5th | 0.0 |
OpenAI's exposure study scores tasks three ways: with a language model alone (α 0.0), with simple added tooling (β 0.0), and including AI-powered software (γ 0.0). Higher means more of the job's tasks could be done at least twice as fast — not that they will be automated away.
This job mostly cannot be done remotely (Dingel–Neiman) — its hands-on tasks sit outside what software-based AI reaches.
Mixed signals. Today's AI/LLM studies show relatively low exposure for this job, but the older (2013) Frey–Osborne work rated it higher for computerization and robotics. Different eras, different technologies — the AI measures above reflect the current state.
Historical automation estimate (2013)
A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
Frey–Osborne probability 0.9 · 82nd percentile among occupations · High
Job outlook
Independent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projection for 2024–2034 — a labor-market forecast, not an AI-impact forecast.
| Outlook | About average · +4.5% by 2034 |
| Projected annual openings | 2,700 |
| Employment 2024 → 2034 | 25,200 → 26,400 |
“Annual openings” counts new jobs plus replacements for workers who leave the occupation, so it can be large even when growth is modest.
Where this work sits on the global GenAI gradient
The ILO's 2025 global study scores generative-AI exposure on the international ISCO-08 occupation system, not US SOC. Bridged through the published (and approximate, many-to-many) IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 crosswalk, this US occupation corresponds to the international occupation below. Exposure here means how much of the work's tasks today's AI can attempt — task overlap, not automation, adoption, or jobs lost.
Helpers--Carpenters sits at the 2nd percentile of 427
occupations on the global GenAI task-exposure gradient
— exposure eased from 2023 to 2025. Each dot is one occupation; the
ringed one is this work. Exposure is task overlap, not automation or jobs lost.
9% mean task exposure (2025)
2nd percentile of 427 placed occupations
−1 pts shift 2023 → 2025
| International occupation (ISCO-08) | Task exposure (2025) | Most tasks fall in |
|---|---|---|
| Building Construction Labourers · 9313 | 9% | Not exposed |
Read the whole six-band gradient on the GenAI exposure gradient page. The crosswalk is approximate: a US occupation can map to several international ones, and the ILO scores describe the international occupation, not this exact US role.
Tasks
All 18 tasks O*NET lists for this occupation, ordered by importance. Each links to its own page with AI-exposure and observed-use detail.
- Clean work areas, machines, or equipment, to maintain a clean and safe job site. Core · importance 4.0
- Fasten timbers or lumber with glue, screws, pegs, or nails and install hardware. Core · importance 4.0
- Perform tie spacing layout and measure, mark, drill or cut. Core · importance 4.0
- Select tools, equipment, or materials from storage and transport items to work site. Core · importance 4.0
- Drill holes in timbers or lumber. Core · importance 4.0
- Cut timbers, lumber, or paneling to specified dimensions. Core · importance 3.9
- Position and hold timbers, lumber, or paneling in place for fastening or cutting. Core · importance 3.8
- Align, straighten, plumb, or square forms for installation. Core · importance 3.7
- Hold plumb bobs, sighting rods, or other equipment to aid in establishing reference points and lines. Core · importance 3.7
- Erect scaffolding, shoring, or braces. Core · importance 3.6
- Construct forms and assist in raising them to the required elevation. Core · importance 3.6
- Install handrails under the direction of a carpenter. Core · importance 3.6
- Glue and clamp edges or joints of assembled parts. Core · importance 3.5
- Smooth or sand surfaces to remove ridges, tool marks, glue, or caulking. Core · importance 3.4
- Cut tile or linoleum to fit and spread adhesives on flooring for installation. Supplemental · importance 3.3
- Secure stakes to grids for constructions of footings, nail scabs to footing forms, and vibrate and float concrete. Core · importance 3.3
- Cut and install insulating or sound-absorbing material. Core · importance 3.2
- Cover surfaces with laminated plastic covering material. Supplemental · importance 3.0
Emerging tasks
Newer responsibilities O*NET has flagged as growing for this occupation.
- Cut or weld metal.
Work activities
- Drill holes in construction materials.
- Cut wood components for installation.
- Position structural components.
- Assemble temporary equipment or structures.
- Select construction materials.
- Select construction equipment.
- Move construction or extraction materials to locations where they are needed.
- Install wooden structural components.
- Clean equipment or facilities.
- Mark reference points on construction materials.
- Position construction forms or molds.
- Smooth surfaces with abrasive materials or tools.
- Measure materials or objects for installation or assembly.
- Compact materials to create level bases.
- Finish concrete surfaces.
- Build construction forms or molds.
- Assist skilled construction or extraction personnel.
- Install building fixtures.
- Apply adhesives to construction materials.
- Install insulation in equipment or structures.
- Cut carpet, vinyl or other flexible materials.
- Apply protective coverings to objects or surfaces near work areas.
Knowledge, skills & abilities
O*NET importance rating, from 1 (not important) to 5 (extremely important).
Knowledge
| Building and Construction | 4.6 | |
| Mechanical | 4.1 | |
| Mathematics | 4.1 | |
| Transportation | 4.0 | |
| English Language | 3.9 | |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.5 | |
| Production and Processing | 3.3 | |
| Design | 3.3 | |
| Public Safety and Security | 3.2 | |
| Administration and Management | 3.1 | |
| Education and Training | 3.1 | |
| Telecommunications | 3.0 |
Abilities
| Near Vision | 3.4 | |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | 3.3 | |
| Manual Dexterity | 3.3 | |
| Problem Sensitivity | 3.1 | |
| Multilimb Coordination | 3.1 | |
| Static Strength | 3.1 | |
| Extent Flexibility | 3.1 | |
| Oral Comprehension | 3.0 | |
| Oral Expression | 3.0 | |
| Deductive Reasoning | 3.0 | |
| Inductive Reasoning | 3.0 | |
| Information Ordering | 3.0 | |
| Category Flexibility | 3.0 | |
| Visualization | 3.0 | |
| Selective Attention | 3.0 | |
| Finger Dexterity | 3.0 | |
| Control Precision | 3.0 | |
| Reaction Time | 3.0 | |
| Trunk Strength | 3.0 | |
| Depth Perception | 3.0 | |
| Speech Recognition | 3.0 |
Essential skills
| Active Listening | 3.0 | |
| Speaking | 3.0 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 | |
| Monitoring | 3.0 |
Transferable skills
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 | |
| Coordination | 3.0 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 |
Skills in demand
Skills employers ask for in job postings for this occupation (Lightcast), with whether each is a common or specialized skill.
Showing the top 40 of 43.
Tools & technology
Work context
How characteristic each condition is of the job, on O*NET's 1–5 context scale (higher = more present in day-to-day work). Each condition links to how it varies across all occupations.
How to get in
- Job zone
- Zone 2 — Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Typical entry-level education
- No formal educational credential · BLS, the typical path — not a requirement
- Related experience
- 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.
- Preparation level
- SVP (Below 6.0) — total schooling plus on-the-job experience.
Education of current workers
Share of people in this occupation at each level of education.
| Less than a High School Diploma | 25.4% | |
| Some College Courses | 18.0% | |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 3.1% |
Interests & work styles
The interests and personal qualities O*NET associates with people who do this work.
Career interests (Holland / RIASEC)
| Realistic | 6.9 | |
| Conventional | 3.5 | |
| Social | 2.1 | |
| Enterprising | 1.6 | |
| Artistic | 1.4 | |
| Investigative | 1.3 |
Interest areas
| Construction/Woodwork | 6.5 | |
| Physical/Manual Labor | 6.4 | |
| Engineering | 1.8 | |
| Mechanics/Electronics | 1.6 | |
| Transportation/Machine Operation | 1.6 | |
| Applied Arts and Design | 1.3 |
Work styles
| Dependability | 2.0 | |
| Attention to Detail | 1.7 | |
| Cooperation | 1.4 | |
| Cautiousness | 1.4 |
Wages & employment
U.S. · annual wages (BLS OEWS)
| 10th percentile | $31,540 |
| 25th percentile | $35,870 |
| Median (50th) | $41,600 |
| 75th percentile | $46,780 |
| 90th percentile | $52,380 |
| People employed | 24,610 |
Industries that employ this occupation
Where these workers are employed, by number of jobs (national, BLS OEWS). Pay shown is the occupation's national median, not industry-specific.
| Industry | Workers | National median pay |
|---|---|---|
| Construction · Sector | 21,790 | $41,600 |
| Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors · National industry | 790 | $41,950 |
| Manufacturing · Sector | 730 | $37,030 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services · Sector | 710 | $42,940 |
| Temporary Help Services · National industry | 610 | $42,940 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors · National industry | 450 | $43,450 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing · Sector | 260 | $37,030 |
| Retail Trade · Sector | 240 | $44,310 |
| Information · Sector | 240 | — |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors · National industry | 80 | $44,190 |
| Roofing Contractors · National industry | 70 | $45,430 |
| Educational Services · Sector | 50 | $28,060 |
Where this work is most concentrated
Industries where this occupation is far more common than in the economy as a whole. The location quotient is how many times more concentrated it is here (a value of 5 means five times its economy-wide share).
| Industry | Concentration | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors · National industry | 19.13× | 790 |
| Construction · Sector | 16.81× | 21,790 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors · National industry | 11.48× | 450 |
| Temporary Help Services · National industry | 1.44× | 610 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing · Sector | 0.69× | 260 |
| Information · Sector | 0.52× | 240 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services · Sector | 0.49× | 710 |
| Manufacturing · Sector | 0.36× | 730 |
Related occupations
Part of the Construction career cluster.
- Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters · 47-3011.00 Compare →
- Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons · 47-3014.00 Compare →
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters · 47-3015.00 Compare →
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers · 49-9098.00 Compare →
- Helpers--Electricians · 47-3013.00 Compare →
- Helpers--Extraction Workers · 47-5081.00 Compare →
- Helpers--Production Workers · 51-9198.00 Compare →
- Carpenters · 47-2031.00 Compare →
- Helpers--Roofers · 47-3016.00 Compare →
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers · 47-2221.00 Compare →
- Brickmasons and Blockmasons · 47-2021.00 Compare →
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters · 51-7011.00 Compare →
Side-by-side comparisons place two occupations’ pay, preparation, skills, and AI exposure on the same page — same data, same scale, no forecast.
What you can do with this
Options the data surfaces for Helpers--Carpenters — not advice or a forecast. Each is a real cross-link you can follow into the evidence.
Skills that travel
Capabilities this work builds that are used across many other occupations.
Adjacent roles
Occupations O*NET rates as related — the nearby moves on the map.
- Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters Compare →
- Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons Compare →
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Compare →
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers Compare →
- Helpers--Electricians Compare →
Paths in
How people typically prepare for this work.
- No formal educational credential · typical entry level
- Job zone 2 — Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed · preparation tier
Zoom out
On the global GenAI exposure gradient this work sits around the 2nd percentile of 427 international occupations.
Write a report on thisheadline · factoids · citation
Helpers--Carpenters show 2nd-percentile AI task overlap — and about 2,700 annual U.S. openings
- Helpers--Carpenters rank in the 2nd percentile (Low band) for AI task overlap across U.S. occupations — a measure of how much of the work today's AI can attempt, not how much is automated.Eloundou et al. (GPTs are GPTs) + Felten AIOE
- The occupation is projected to see about 2,700 U.S. job openings per year (2024–34), counting growth and replacement — a labor-demand projection made independently of AI.BLS Employment Projections 2024–34
- BLS projects employment to be about average (+4.5%) from 2024 to 2034.BLS Employment Projections 2024–34
- Median annual pay is $41,600, across about 24,610 U.S. workers.BLS OEWS (May 2024)
Copy the whole kit
Helpers--Carpenters show 2nd-percentile AI task overlap — and about 2,700 annual U.S. openings • Helpers--Carpenters rank in the 2nd percentile (Low band) for AI task overlap across U.S. occupations — a measure of how much of the work today's AI can attempt, not how much is automated. (Eloundou et al. (GPTs are GPTs) + Felten AIOE) • The occupation is projected to see about 2,700 U.S. job openings per year (2024–34), counting growth and replacement — a labor-demand projection made independently of AI. (BLS Employment Projections 2024–34) • BLS projects employment to be about average (+4.5%) from 2024 to 2034. (BLS Employment Projections 2024–34) • Median annual pay is $41,600, across about 24,610 U.S. workers. (BLS OEWS (May 2024)) Source: Singulariki — "Helpers--Carpenters". https://singulariki.com/roles/role-47-3012-00 Note: AI task overlap measures what today's AI can attempt, not automation, job loss, or a forecast.
AssetsShare imageMethodology & sourcesPress & newsroomThe newsroom
Every line is built only from figures this page already shows and cites. AI task overlap means what today's AI can attempt — not automation, job loss, or a forecast.
Sources for this page
Every figure above traces to a named public dataset and the exact release below — not hand-written opinion. See the full methodology for what each measure does and does not mean.
- O*NET 30.3 U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai Microsoft Research
- “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130 OpenAI / academic
- AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans academic
- ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025 International Labour Organization
- IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022 Institute for Structural Research (IBS)
- Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation academic
- Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome academic
Data compiled June 2, 2026. Figures are estimates, not advice.
Cite this page
Plain
Singulariki. "Helpers--Carpenters." Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Built from O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130; AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans; ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025; IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022; Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation; Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome. Accessed June 7, 2026. https://singulariki.com/roles/role-47-3012-00
APA
Singulariki. (2026). Helpers--Carpenters. Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://singulariki.com/roles/role-47-3012-00
BibTeX
@misc{singulariki-role-47-3012-00,
title = {Helpers--Carpenters},
author = {{Singulariki}},
year = {2026},
note = {O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130; AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans; ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025; IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022; Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation; Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome. Accessed June 7, 2026},
url = {https://singulariki.com/roles/role-47-3012-00}
} Citations name the underlying public dataset releases — they reflect what this page is built from, not just the URL.