Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters: Career Overview
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.
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The Daily Work of Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters Take On?
The day-to-day responsibilities of cabinetmakers and bench carpenters include:
- 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.
- Set up or operate machines, including power saws, jointers, mortisers, tenoners, molders, or shapers, to cut, mold, or shape woodstock or wood substitutes.
- Establish the specifications of articles to be constructed or repaired, or plan the methods or operations for shaping or assembling parts, based on blueprints, drawings, diagrams, or oral or written instructions.
- Attach parts or subassemblies together to form completed units, using glue, dowels, nails, screws, or clamps.
- Reinforce joints with nails or other fasteners to prepare articles for finishing.
- Install hardware, such as hinges, handles, catches, or drawer pulls, using hand tools.
What Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters Need to Know
Successful cabinetmakers and bench carpenters draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Most Important Skills
The competencies most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Other Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters Job Titles
People in this occupation may also be known by titles such as:
- Accordion Maker
- Antique Furniture Repairer
- Antique Repairer
- Boat Oar Maker
- Bow Maker
- Cabinet Assembler
- Cabinet Builder
- Cabinet Designer
Employment and Demand
There are about 488,849 cabinetmakers and bench carpenters working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to decline by -4.2% over the projection horizon.
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters Pay
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $67,016 |
| Hourly median | $32.22 |
| 10th percentile | $39,327 |
| 25th percentile | $53,171 |
| 75th percentile | $80,861 |
| 90th percentile | $94,705 |
Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters Salary by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $57,550 |
| Maryland | $57,200 |
| Delaware | $53,830 |
| Massachusetts | $53,620 |
| Connecticut | $53,010 |
| Vermont | $52,150 |
| New Jersey | $51,430 |
| Rhode Island | $51,140 |
| Illinois | $51,110 |
| New Hampshire | $49,430 |
| Nevada | $49,270 |
| Arkansas | $48,600 |
| North Dakota | $48,420 |
| Ohio | $48,160 |
| Colorado | $47,920 |
| California | $47,870 |
| Hawaii | $47,650 |
| Minnesota | $47,330 |
| Montana | $47,170 |
| Washington | $46,920 |
| South Carolina | $46,890 |
| Florida | $46,870 |
| Utah | $46,750 |
| Michigan | $46,640 |
| Iowa | $46,640 |
| Oregon | $46,600 |
| Maine | $46,230 |
| Wisconsin | $46,150 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,320 |
| Virginia | $45,260 |
| Missouri | $45,130 |
| New Mexico | $44,740 |
| Idaho | $44,490 |
| Arizona | $43,930 |
| Louisiana | $43,920 |
| South Dakota | $43,460 |
| North Carolina | $42,680 |
| Nebraska | $42,400 |
| Georgia | $42,210 |
| Tennessee | $41,600 |
| Alabama | $39,710 |
| Kentucky | $39,200 |
| Texas | $39,070 |
| Wyoming | $38,800 |
| Kansas | $38,800 |
| Indiana | $38,750 |
| Mississippi | $38,460 |
| West Virginia | $37,690 |
| Oklahoma | $37,630 |
| Puerto Rico | $21,230 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Earnings for cabinetmakers and bench carpenters differ across the country. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| New England | $51,548 | 4.7% | 1.26 |
| Middle Atlantic | $51,311 | 11.0% | 0.89 |
| Far Western US | $47,638 | 15.5% | 1.00 |
| Rocky Mountains | $46,496 | 6.4% | 1.88 |
| Plains States | $44,715 | 11.3% | 1.76 |
| Great Lakes | $44,624 | 16.7% | 1.75 |
| Southeast | $43,424 | 23.7% | 1.11 |
| Southwest | $39,895 | 10.0% | 0.81 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | VT | $63,700 | 70 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | NJ | $62,090 | 40 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | CT | $61,190 | 30 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | MA | $59,600 | 750 |
| Reno, NV | NV | $59,390 | 130 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | NY | $59,340 | 2,820 |
| Peoria, IL | IL | $58,150 | 50 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $57,600 | 760 |
Industry Breakdown
Most cabinetmakers and bench carpenters work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 66,810 | $45,780 |
| Construction | 7,150 | $48,960 |
| Retail Trade | 1,680 | $43,950 |
| Wholesale Trade | 800 | $42,880 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 410 | $65,580 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 350 | $56,520 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 160 | $53,940 |
| Educational Services | 60 | $55,550 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tools and Technology
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Operating system software: Microsoft Windows (hot technology)
What the Workplace Is Like
Daily working conditions for cabinetmakers and bench carpenters tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Spend Time Standing
- Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
Getting Started in This Career
Most cabinetmakers and bench carpenters positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This career aligns with Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Boilermakers (Supplemental)
- Carpenters (Primary-Short)
- Sheet Metal Workers (Supplemental)
- Helpers–Carpenters (Supplemental)
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers (Supplemental)
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters (Primary-Long)
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (Supplemental)
- Model Makers, Metal and Plastic (Primary-Long)
Top Programs to Study For This Career
Aspiring cabinetmakers and bench carpenters commonly pursue programs in:
Precision Production
1 programs across 1 majors
References
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 51-7011.00 (Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters).
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