What is a form carpenter and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

Unlike a regular carpenter, a form carpenter specializes in constructing frameworks, scaffolding, and other types of construction forms from various materials like wood, metal, and plastic. They usually work in commercial construction projects, but may also work in residential construction.

Aside from constructing forms, a form carpenter's duties may also involve leveling concrete, installing hardware, insulating walls, installing rebar, and framing fiberglass. They may also perform general carpentry as well as supervise a group of carpenters on a worksite. And while performing all of these duties, a form carpenter must abide by OSHA regulations and company safety policies.

Foam carpenters generally need to finish an apprenticeship in carpentry after graduating from high school. A carpentry apprenticeship lasts four years and includes both classroom instruction and on-the-job training. The average salary of a form carpenter is around $37,000 per year.

ScoreForm CarpenterUS Average
Salary
3.1

Avg. Salary $40,274

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
7.6

Growth Rate 2%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
8.3
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.03%

Asian 1.63%

Black or African American 7.56%

Hispanic or Latino 23.19%

Unknown 4.60%

White 61.98%

Gender

female 2.52%

male 97.48%

Age - 41
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41
Stress Level
7.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
8.8

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
5.3

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

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Form Carpenter career paths

Key steps to become a form carpenter

  1. Explore form carpenter education requirements

    Most common form carpenter degrees

    High School Diploma

    50.9 %

    Associate

    14.4 %

    Diploma

    14.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific form carpenter skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Hand Tools18.02%
    Ladders13.53%
    Scaffolding11.90%
    Safety Rules9.57%
    Clean Environment5.73%
  3. Complete relevant form carpenter training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New form carpenters learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a form carpenter based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real form carpenter resumes.
  4. Research form carpenter duties and responsibilities

    • Build wooden forms for concrete to build walls, stairs, home foundations, etc.
    • Build stairs, mantles, and furniture.
    • Have security passport and OSHA card.
    • Assist to erect scaffolding to complete all projects.
  5. Prepare your form carpenter resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your form carpenter resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a form carpenter resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Form Carpenter Resume templates

    Build a professional Form Carpenter resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Form Carpenter resume.
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  6. Apply for form carpenter jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a form carpenter job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Form Carpenter Job

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Average form carpenter salary

The average Form Carpenter salary in the United States is $40,274 per year or $19 per hour. Form carpenter salaries range between $31,000 and $51,000 per year.

Average Form Carpenter Salary
$40,274 Yearly
$19.36 hourly

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How do form carpenters rate their job?

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Form Carpenter reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2023
Pros

Seeing the finished product

Cons

I am a master carpenter. It’s hard sometimes waiting on materials to finish a job


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2023
Pros

Livable wage

Cons

Travel expenses, working away from home, working in bad conditions


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A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2022
Pros

I enjoy building things with wood. The gratification of seeing things come together from bottom, to top, when building. From top to bottom when taking down. All the way from pouring the slab, to hanging pictures on the painted walls..

Cons

Rainy days, lazy Co workers,


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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