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.
Also Known As
- Cabinet Assembler
- Cabinet Installer
- Cabinetmaker
- Frame Builder
Alternate Job Titles
- Accordion Maker
- Antique Furniture Repairer
- Antique Repairer
- Boat Oar Maker
- Bow Maker
- Cabinet Assembler
- Cabinet Builder
- Cabinet Designer
- Cabinet Finisher
- Cabinet Installer
- Cabinet Maker
- Cabinet Professional
- Cabinet Specialist
- Cabinet Worker
- Cabinetmaker
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities 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.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Mathematics
- Building and Construction
- Production and Processing
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Finger Dexterity
- Manual Dexterity
- Control Precision
- Trunk Strength
- Multilimb Coordination
- Visualization
- Problem Sensitivity
- Static Strength
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Perseverance
- Achievement Orientation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Support
- Achievement
- Independence
- Working Conditions
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Windows
Tools & Equipment
- Adjustable hand wrenches
- Adjustable jigs
- Angle dividers
- Awls
- Back saws
- Band clamps
- Bandsaws
- Bar clamps
- Bastard flat files
- Belt sanders
- Bench dogs
- Bench grinders
- Bench vises
- Biscuit joiners
- Biscuit joining machines
Work Environment
- 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
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $34,700 |
| Median | $46,020 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $63,220 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 79,540
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Model Makers, Wood
Education: 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)
Median Salary: $51,850
Furniture Finishers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $42,530
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $40,440
Carpenters
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $59,310
Patternmakers, Wood
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $52,520
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.