Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters

This is a sub-career of Woodworker

Does this career fit your work personality?

Begin The Career Assessment Test
?
FIT Score
?
?
?
?
Discover your work personality strengths.
This is a Premium Feature X Find your
  • Best Fitting Careers
  • Work Personality Strengths
  • Work Style Preferences
  • and more
Job Outlook:
Little or no change
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
Work From Home
Salary
High: $58,570.00
Average: $42,120.00
Hourly
Average: $20.25

What they do:

Cut, shape, and assemble wooden articles or set up and operate a variety of woodworking machines, such as power saws, jointers, and mortisers to surface, cut, or shape lumber or to fabricate parts for wood products.

On the job, you would:

  • Verify dimensions or check the quality or fit of pieces to ensure adherence to specifications.
  • Produce or assemble components of articles, such as store fixtures, office equipment, cabinets, or high-grade furniture.
  • Measure and mark dimensions of parts on paper or lumber stock prior to cutting, following blueprints, to ensure a tight fit and quality product.

Important Qualities

Detail oriented. Woodworkers must pay attention to details in order to meet specifications and to keep themselves safe.

Dexterity. Woodworkers must make precise cuts with a variety of handtools and power tools, so they need good hand-eye coordination.

Math skills. Woodworkers need to understand basic geometry in order to visualize how a three-dimensional wooden object, such as a cabinet or piece of furniture, will fit together.

Mechanical skills. The use of handtools, such as screwdrivers and wrenches, is required to set up, adjust, and calibrate machines. These automated systems also require woodworkers to use computers and other programmable devices.

Physical stamina. Woodworkers often stand for long periods performing many of the same functions.

Physical strength. Woodworkers must be able to lift bulky, heavy pieces of wood.

Technical skills. Woodworkers must be able to interpret design drawings and technical manuals for a range of products and machines. They also should be able to troubleshoot issues as they arise.

Personality

A3 Your Strengths Importance

Characteristics of this Career

89% Dependability  -  Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
87% Attention to Detail  -  Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
74% Cooperation  -  Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
71% Stress Tolerance  -  Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
68% Adaptability/Flexibility  -  Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
68% Self-Control  -  Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
68% Persistence  -  Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
68% Concern for Others  -  Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
66% Integrity  -  Job requires being honest and ethical.
66% Initiative  -  Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
A3 Your Strengths Importance

Strengths

100% Realistic  -  Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Aptitude

A3 Your Strengths Importance

Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality

72% Near Vision  -  The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
72% Manual Dexterity  -  The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
72% Finger Dexterity  -  The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
72% Arm-Hand Steadiness  -  The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
69% Control Precision  -  The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
66% Trunk Strength  -  The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
66% Multilimb Coordination  -  The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

Job Details

Responsibilities
Assemble wood products.
Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
Operate woodworking equipment.
Measure materials to mark reference points, cutting lines, or other indicators.
Assemble wood products.
Assemble wood products.
Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
Trim excess material from workpieces.
Cut industrial materials in preparation for fabrication or processing.
Compare physical characteristics of materials or products to specifications or standards.
Trim excess material from workpieces.
Drill holes in parts, equipment, or materials.
Program equipment to perform production tasks.
Estimate costs of products, services, or materials.
Estimate material requirements for production.
Shape surfaces or edges of wood workpieces.
Attach decorative or functional accessories to products.
Repair furniture or upholstery.
Apply protective or decorative finishes to workpieces or products.
Design furniture.
Operate computers or computerized equipment.
Apply protective or decorative finishes to workpieces or products.
Confer with customers or designers to determine order specifications.
A3 Your Strengths Importance

Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent

97% Face-to-Face Discussions  -  How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
94% Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets  -  How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
91% Spend Time Standing  -  How much does this job require standing?
86% Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled  -  How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)?
82% Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls  -  How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
79% Exposed to Hazardous Equipment  -  How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
78% Time Pressure  -  How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
78% Importance of Being Exact or Accurate  -  How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
76% Contact With Others  -  How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
71% Work With Work Group or Team  -  How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
70% Exposed to Contaminants  -  How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
69% Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results  -  What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
66% Freedom to Make Decisions  -  How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
65% Frequency of Decision Making  -  How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
A3 Your Strengths Importance

Tasks & Values

80% Getting Information  -  Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
78% Controlling Machines and Processes  -  Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
78% Handling and Moving Objects  -  Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
73% Performing General Physical Activities  -  Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
72% Making Decisions and Solving Problems  -  Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
71% Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information  -  Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
69% Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials  -  Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
65% Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events  -  Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

What Woodworkers Do

Woodworkers
Woodworkers ensure that products meet industry standards and project specifications.

Woodworkers manufacture a variety of products, such as cabinets and furniture, using wood, veneers, and laminates. They often combine and incorporate different materials into wood.

Duties

Woodworkers typically do the following:

  • Read detailed architectural drawings, schematics, shop drawings, and blueprints
  • Prepare and set up machines and tooling for woodwork manufacturing
  • Lift wood pieces onto machines, either by hand or with hoists
  • Operate woodworking machines, including saws and milling and sanding machines
  • Listen for unusual sounds and watch for excessive vibration in machinery
  • Ensure that products meet industry standards and project specifications, adjusting as necessary
  • Select the proper cutting, milling, boring, and sanding tools for completing a job
  • Use handtools to trim pieces or assemble products
  • Maintain machines, such as by cleaning and oiling them or replacing worn blades

Woodworkers make products from lumber and synthetic wood materials. Many of these products, including most furniture, kitchen cabinets, and musical instruments, are mass produced. Other products are custom made from architectural designs and drawings.

Modern woodworking is highly technical. Skilled operators use automated machinery, such as computerized numerical control (CNC) machines, to ensure accuracy in all phases of their work. Woodworkers do many of their tasks  on an assembly line, but some customized work must be done by hand.

Woodworkers set up, operate, and tend all types of woodworking machines, such as saws, milling machines, drill presses, sanders, and wood-fastening machines. Operators use equipment to cut and shape wooden parts and to verify dimensions, using a template, caliper, and rule. Woodworkers add fasteners and adhesives and connect the parts to form an assembled unit. They also install hardware, such as pulls and drawer slides, and fit specialty products for glass, metal trims, electrical components, and stone. Finally, workers sand, stain, and, if necessary, coat the wood product with a sealer or topcoats, such as a lacquer or varnish.

The following are examples of types of woodworkers:

Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters cut, shape, and assemble parts for wood products. They often design and create sets of customized cabinets, sometimes seeing a project all the way through to installation.

Furniture finishers shape, finish, and refinish damaged and worn furniture. They may work with antiques and must judge how to preserve and repair them. They also do the staining, sealing, and top coating at the end of the production process.

Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders use band saws, circular saws, hack saws, or other equipment to cut wood. They also use drill presses, lathes, sanders, and other types of woodworking equipment to smooth and shape wood.

Work Environment

Woodworkers held about 238,900 jobs in 2022. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up woodworkers was distributed as follows:

Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters 105,700
Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing 64,600
Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood 49,400
Furniture finishers 19,200

The largest employers of woodworkers were as follows:

Furniture and related product manufacturing 40%
Wood product manufacturing 36
Self-employed workers 7
Specialty trade contractors 3

Working conditions vary. At times, woodworkers handle heavy, bulky materials and may encounter noise and dust. As a result, they regularly wear hearing protection, safety glasses, and respirators or masks.

Injuries and Illnesses

Wood sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. These workers use saws and other tools and equipment that may be dangerous and can cause cuts or lacerations. Workers must wear safety equipment and be mindful of their surroundings to avoid injury.

Woodworkers are exposed to hazards such as harmful dust, chemicals, or fumes, and often wear a respirator or mask. Others may be exposed to excessive noise and wear hearing protection.

Most injuries involve sprains, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and hernias. These injuries come from awkward bending, reaching, or twisting and overexertion or repetition.

Work Schedules

Most woodworkers work full time during regular business hours. Work schedules vary for some woodworkers.

Getting Started

Education:
62%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
27%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)

How to Become a Woodworker

Woodworkers
After high school, most woodworkers are trained on the job, learning from more experienced workers.

A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required to become a woodworker. Although some entry-level jobs may be learned in 1 month or less, becoming fully proficient may take several months to more than a year of on-the-job training. Woodworkers also must be able to use computer-controlled machinery.

Education

A high school diploma is typically required to enter the occupation. Training in computer applications and math may enhance employment prospects.

For woodworking production jobs, employers may prefer to hire candidates who have taken some vocational-technical or college courses.

Training

Typically, entry-level woodworkers train on the job, learning their skills from experienced workers. Beginning workers do basic tasks, such as feeding a piece of wood through a machine and stacking the finished product at the end of the process. As they gain experience, woodworkers do more complex tasks with less supervision.

Becoming a skilled woodworker often takes several months or years. Skilled woodworkers read blueprints, set up machines, and plan work sequences.

Some workers also receive training through apprenticeships offered by employers or unions.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Although not required, credentials often demonstrate competence and professionalism. They also may help a candidate advance in the occupation.

The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America offers a national certificate program, with five progressive credentials.

Because of the prevalence of CNC machines in production, workers also may benefit from obtaining CNC machine certification. Certification is offered by community colleges and CNC machine manufacturers.

Advancement

With experience, skilled woodworkers may advance to other positions that offer greater responsibility. For example, they may be promoted to team lead or floor supervisor, positions in which they help to oversee the work of other woodworkers.

Job Outlook

Overall employment of woodworkers is projected to show little or no change from 2022 to 2032.

Despite limited employment growth, about 23,400 openings for woodworkers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Overall demand for woodworkers is expected to be limited by automation, especially the use of computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines in wood product manufacturing. However, demand for some wood products, such as those used in home renovation projects and outdoor structures for restaurants and other businesses, may sustain demand for some woodworkers.

Contacts for More Information

For details about apprenticeships or other work opportunities for woodworkers, contact the offices of the state employment service, the state apprenticeship agency, local firms that employ laborers, or local union-management apprenticeship committees. Apprenticeship information is available from the U.S. Department of Labor's Apprenticeship program online or by phone at 877-872-5627. Visit Apprenticeship.gov to search for apprenticeship opportunities.

For more information about woodworkers, visit

Architectural Woodwork Institute

Association for Manufacturing Technology

Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International

National Tooling and Machining Association

Woodwork Career Alliance of North America

Wood Industry Resource Collaborative

Woodworking Machinery Industry Association

Similar Occupations

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of woodworkers.

Occupation Job Duties Entry-Level Education Median Annual Pay, May 2022
Carpenters Carpenters

Carpenters construct, repair, and install building frameworks and structures made from wood and other materials.

High school diploma or equivalent $51,390
Computer programmers Computer Programmers

Computer programmers write, modify, and test code and scripts that allow computer software and applications to function properly.

Bachelor's degree $97,800
Craft and fine artists Craft and Fine Artists

Craft and fine artists use a variety of materials and techniques to create art for sale and exhibition.

See How to Become One $53,140
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers

Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers design, construct, adjust, repair, appraise and sell jewelry.

High school diploma or equivalent $47,140
Machinists and tool and die makers Machinists and Tool and Die Makers

Machinists and tool and die makers set up and operate equipment to produce precision metal parts, instruments, and tools.

See How to Become One $49,560
Sheet metal workers Sheet Metal Workers

Sheet metal workers fabricate or install products that are made from thin metal sheets.

High school diploma or equivalent $55,350
Structural iron and steel workers Ironworkers

Ironworkers install structural and reinforcing iron and steel to form and support buildings, bridges, and roads.

High school diploma or equivalent $58,330

Information provided by CareerFitter, LLC and other sources.

Sections of this page includes information from the O*NET 27.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

CareerFitter, LLC has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.