Learn about a career as a construction framer.
Construction framers are largely responsible for constructing what is essentially the skeleton of a building. They assemble the floors, walls and ceilings of a residential home or a commercial building. Construction framing is an essential skill for any carpenter to learn, but there are many positions that require a carpenter to specialize in the construction of a building's frame.
Training
According to Education-Portal.com, many construction framers begin their training in high school shop courses where they are instructed in basic building practices and blueprint design and reading. This usually continues in college where they study more advanced engineering and math courses. However, more often than not, construction framers learn the trade through intensive on-the-job training through a formal carpentry apprenticeship with a construction company.
Skills
Accomplished construction framers have a solid grasp of complex mathematical concepts in both algebra and geometry. This ensures their ability to read, understand and even design blueprints for building the frame for a home or building. Construction framers must also have impeccable hand-eye coordination, and balance when handling building materials and equipment from high elevations. Framing carpenters must also be able to use a wide variety of hand and power tools to complete their work. This includes power tools such as saws, drills and nail guns, and basic hand tools such as a hammer, framer's square and measuring tape.
Work Environment
Just like any other position in the carpentry trade, the work environment of a framing carpenter is hazardous, if not more so. There is the potential for injury when working from high elevations with very little structural support in addition to the potential for injury from sharp objects such as power saws, drills, nail guns and claw hammers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most carpenters work a standard 40-hour work week.
Compensation
According to PayScale.com, the average hourly wage for a carpenter ranges from just under $15 to about $24 per hour. This pay range is largely affected by a carpenter's skill, the size of the construction company, the type of construction and the state of the economy.
Career Outlook
According to the latest edition of the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook, carpentry jobs are expected to grow by about 13 percent through the year 2018. This is about the average growth rate for all occupations surveyed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, the handbook also states that the carpentry industry accounted for 1.8 million jobs in 2008.
Tags: Bureau Labor, Bureau Labor Statistics, Labor Statistics, building Construction, building frame, construction company, drills nail
