Medium AI Risk Average

Helpers--carpenters

SOC Code: 47-3012

Helpers--carpenters carries a 23% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $41,600 and +4.5% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 25,200 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.

AI Exposure Score
23% Medium

Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)

Projected Growth
+4.5%
2024–2034 (BLS)
+1,100 jobs
Median Annual Wage
$41,600
BLS May 2024
How wage figures are sourced →
The verdict

At 23% AI exposure, Helpers--carpenters sits 14 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 11% of them. It ranks among the more AI-resilient roles in the dataset.

23%
AI exposure
11th
percentile
+4.5%
Job growth 2024–34
$41,600
Median wage

Where Helpers--carpenters sits among all occupations

AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.

AI exposure distribution - Helpers--carpenters marked 1 occupations at 0–10% 1 0 43 occupations at 10–20% 43 10 184 occupations at 20–30% 184 20 332 occupations at 30–40% 332 30 158 occupations at 40–50% 158 40 64 occupations at 50–60% 64 50 29 occupations at 60–70% 29 60 15 occupations at 70–80% 15 70 5 occupations at 80–90% 5 80 1 occupations at 90–100% 1 90 AI exposure (%) →
Top 89% by AI exposure Higher AI exposure than 11% of all 832 occupations.

Helpers--carpenters has ai exposure of 23%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.

Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.

Helpers--carpenters vs. its occupational neighbors

AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Helpers--carpenters is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.

Future-proofGrowing but exposedStable, lower-AIMost at risk11.8%18.4%25%31.6%38.2%-1.3%1.5%4.3%7.2%10.0%AI exposure (%) →Projected growth (%) →Helpers--carpentersConstruction laborerCarpentersFirst-line supervisoElectriciansPlumbersOperating engineersPaintersCement masonsRoofersHighway maintenance Construction

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).

Employment Projections

25,200
Employment 2024
26,400
Projected 2034
+4.5%
Change (%)
+1,100
Change (jobs)

Occupation Insight

Helpers--carpenters (SOC 47-3012) carries an AI exposure score of 23%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.

The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 25,200 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +4.5% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $41,600, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires No formal educational credential, plus None of related experience.

For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Helpers--carpenters. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.

Education & Entry Requirements

Typical Education
No formal educational credential
Work Experience
None
On-the-Job Training
Short-term on-the-job training

Registered Apprenticeship Pathway Available

Helpers--carpenters is a recognized registered apprenticeship occupation under the DOL RAPIDS system. Earn while you train, apprentices typically start at ~$16/hr and reach $28–$46/hr upon completion, depending on the specific trade and region.

Top Tasks (O*NET)

  1. 1. Clean work areas, machines, or equipment, to maintain a clean and safe job site.
  2. 2. Fasten timbers or lumber with glue, screws, pegs, or nails and install hardware.
  3. 3. Perform tie spacing layout and measure, mark, drill or cut.
  4. 4. Select tools, equipment, or materials from storage and transport items to work site.
  5. 5. Drill holes in timbers or lumber.
  6. 6. Cut timbers, lumber, or paneling to specified dimensions.
  7. 7. Position and hold timbers, lumber, or paneling in place for fastening or cutting.
  8. 8. Align, straighten, plumb, or square forms for installation.
  9. 9. Hold plumb bobs, sighting rods, or other equipment to aid in establishing reference points and lines.
  10. 10. Erect scaffolding, shoring, or braces.

Key Skills Required

  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Monitoring
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Coordination
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Learning
  • Equipment Selection

Knowledge Areas

  • Building and Construction
  • Mechanical
  • Mathematics
  • Transportation
  • English Language
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Production and Processing
  • Design
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Administration and Management

Frequently Asked Questions

Will AI replace Helpers--carpenters?

Helpers--carpenters has an AI exposure score of 23%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.

What is the job outlook for Helpers--carpenters?

According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Helpers--carpenters is projected to grow by 4.5% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 25,200 workers.

What skills are needed for Helpers--carpenters?

Key skills for Helpers--carpenters include Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.

How much do Helpers--carpenters earn?

The median annual wage for Helpers--carpenters is $41,600, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.

What education is required for Helpers--carpenters?

The typical entry-level education for Helpers--carpenters is No formal educational credential. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.

Which companies employ Helpers--carpenters?

Helpers--carpenters roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.

AI Exposure Rating

1.1
out of 5.0

Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.

Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).

Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainWorkforce Editorial

Every figure on PlainWorkforce is rendered directly from BLS/O*NET source data, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these figures, or report a data error. Data current as of BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034.