What is the difference between a mason and a carpenter?

A mason (in India, often called "raj mistri" or "mistri") works with hard materials — brick, cement, stone, tiles, mortar, plaster. Their job is to build the structural and surface envelope of a building: walls, floors, roofs, tiles, plastering, waterproofing. They use tools like trowels, plumb lines, spirit levels, wheelbarrows, and mixing pans.

A carpenter works with wood, plywood, MDF, and increasingly aluminium/PVC composites. Their job is to build interior furniture and fittings: doors, windows, wardrobes, modular kitchens, TV units, beds. They use saws, planers, chisels, drills, edge routers, and finish tools.

Earnings differ: masons in India earn ₹15,000–₹47,000/month, carpenters ₹18,000–₹65,000/month at senior level. Carpenters have a higher ceiling because sq-ft billing on custom furniture (wardrobes at ₹900–₹1,800/sqft labour) scales earnings faster than mason's ₹25–₹60/sqft plaster or wall work.

When to hire which: for building walls, tiles, waterproofing, plaster, roof work → mason. For furniture, doors, wardrobes, kitchens, wood polish → carpenter. Full-house interior work often needs both, coordinated. A general contractor manages that coordination if you don't want to.