Cabinetmaker Jobs: Duties, Pay, Training and How to Get Hired

Cabinetmaker jobs are shop and production jobs in which workers cut, shape and assemble wood parts into cabinets, furniture and fixtures. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) counts cabinetmakers together with bench carpenters, and the two occupations held 81,800 jobs in 2025.

This guide explains what cabinetmakers do, the machines and software they use, the training and certifications that help with hiring, what the work pays, the job outlook, and how to find and apply for cabinetmaker jobs. Figures come from the BLS and O*NET and were checked in October 2026.

What Cabinetmakers Do

Cabinetmakers build wood products to a set of drawings or specifications. According to the BLS, they often design and create customized cabinets, and some see a project through to installation. O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor’s occupation database, lists these as typical tasks:

Measuring and marking the dimensions of parts on paper or lumber before cutting, following blueprints.
Setting up and operating machines such as power saws, jointers, mortisers, tenoners, molders and shapers.
Producing or assembling components for store fixtures, office equipment, cabinets and high-grade furniture.
Trimming, sanding or scraping surfaces and joints to prepare pieces for finishing.
Checking dimensions, quality and fit to make sure each piece meets the specifications.

Custom Shops and Production Plants

Cabinetmaker jobs fall into two broad settings. In a custom shop, a small team builds pieces to order for a specific kitchen, office or store, and one person may handle a job from layout to assembly. In a production plant, the same parts are made in larger runs, and each worker usually handles one stage, such as machining, assembly or inspection.

The BLS notes that modern woodworking is increasingly technical, and that skilled operators use computerized numerical control (CNC) machines. In production settings, running and setting up CNC equipment is a large part of the job.

Job Titles to Search For

Employers do not always use the word “cabinetmaker” in a job ad. O*NET lists these titles for the same occupation:

Cabinetmaker
Cabinet Builder
Cabinet Assembler
Cabinet Door Maker
Cabinet Installer
Angled Cabinetmaker
Frame Builder
Double End Tenon Operator
Assembler
Woodworker

Searching several of these titles will show more openings than searching for “cabinetmaker” alone.

Tools, Machines and Software

Cabinetmakers use hand tools, power tools and stationary machines. The machines named in O*NET’s task list include power saws, jointers, mortisers, tenoners, molders and shapers. Production shops also use CNC routers and other computer-controlled equipment.

Computer skills matter more than many people expect. O*NET lists the following software for this occupation:

Autodesk AutoCAD, for computer-aided design
Computer estimation software
Computerized maintenance management systems
Microsoft Excel, Outlook and Windows

Being able to read a drawing on screen, check measurements and record your work makes you more useful in both custom and production shops.

Skills Employers Look For

The BLS lists these important qualities for woodworkers, including cabinetmakers:

Detail orientation. Small measuring or cutting errors add up across a cabinet run.
Dexterity. The work involves precise hand movements with tools and materials.
Math skills. Cabinetmakers calculate dimensions, angles and material quantities.
Mechanical skills. Setting up and adjusting machines is part of the job.
Physical stamina and strength. Workers stand for long periods and lift heavy materials.
Technical skills. Reading blueprints and operating computerized machines.

O*NET’s survey of workers in the occupation shows what a typical day asks of you. Of the workers surveyed, 99% stand continually or almost continually, 95% use their hands to handle or control objects continually or almost continually, and 54% said being exact or accurate is extremely important. About 65% wear protective or safety equipment every day.

Education and Training

Most cabinetmaker jobs do not require a college degree. The BLS says a high school diploma or equivalent is typically needed. In O*NET’s survey, 76% of respondents said new hires need a high school diploma or equivalent, 21% said less than a high school diploma, and 3% said some college.

The BLS adds that training in computer applications and math may help, and that some employers prefer candidates with vocational-technical or college courses for production jobs. High school shop classes and community college woodworking programs are common starting points.

On-the-Job Training

Most entry-level workers learn on the job. The BLS says entry-level tasks can be learned in a month or less, but full proficiency usually takes from several months to more than a year. New hires often start with simpler work, such as sanding, assembly or feeding machines, and move to layout and machine setup as they gain experience.

Apprenticeships

Some workers train through apprenticeships offered by employers or unions, according to the BLS. An apprenticeship combines paid work with structured instruction. You can search for registered programs near you on Apprenticeship.gov, the U.S. Department of Labor’s apprenticeship site.

Certifications

Certification is not required to work as a cabinetmaker, but the BLS notes that credentials can show competence to employers. Two are worth knowing about:

Woodwork Career Alliance (WCA) credentials. The WCA is an industry group that records a person’s skill achievements in a “Passport.” Its Sawblade Certificate covers layout and measurement, plus setup and operation of a jointer, table saw, portable hand sander and drill press. Other levels include Green and Blue. The WCA reported issuing 1,358 credentials in 2023, mostly Core and Sawblade credentials for high school and postsecondary woodworking students.
CNC certification. The BLS notes that CNC machine certification, offered by community colleges and CNC machine manufacturers, may be useful.

You can search for other credentials with the CareerOneStop certification finder.

Moving Up

The BLS says experienced woodworkers may become team leads or floor supervisors. Others move into estimating, design or installation work, or start their own shop.

Cabinetmaker Pay

The median annual wage for cabinetmakers and bench carpenters was $46,680 in May 2025, according to the BLS. O*NET lists the median hourly wage as $22.44. The median is the wage at which half the workers earned more and half earned less.

For all woodworkers, the median annual wage was $45,310 in May 2025. The lowest 10% earned less than $33,280, and the highest 10% earned more than $60,240. For comparison, the median for all occupations was $50,980.

Pay also varies by the type of employer. The BLS gives these May 2025 medians for woodworkers in their top industries:

Specialty trade contractors: $47,590
Furniture and related product manufacturing: $45,980
Wood product manufacturing: $42,630

Pay in your area may be higher or lower. The BLS publishes wage data by state and metro area, and local job ads give a good picture of current rates.

Job Outlook

The BLS projects that employment of cabinetmakers and bench carpenters will decline by 3% from 2025 to 2035, from 81,800 to 79,400 jobs.

Why Employment Is Expected to Decline

Automation. The BLS names automation, especially CNC machines in wood product manufacturing, as the main reason for the decline in woodworking jobs. In its projections, it notes that advances in CNC equipment let manufacturers produce more with fewer woodworkers.
Steady demand in some areas. The BLS also says demand for products used in home renovation and outdoor restaurant structures may help sustain some woodworking jobs.

A shrinking occupation still has openings. O*NET projects about 6,900 openings a year for cabinetmakers and bench carpenters over the decade. The BLS says woodworker openings come from the need to replace workers who move to other occupations or leave the workforce, such as by retiring.

Working Conditions

Most woodworkers work full time during regular business hours, according to the BLS. The work is done in shops and plants where noise and dust are common, so workers regularly wear hearing protection, safety glasses and respirators or masks.

The BLS notes that most woodworker injuries are sprains, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and hernias, often caused by awkward bending, reaching, twisting, overexertion or repetition. O*NET’s survey found that 40% of cabinetmakers are exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites or stings every day. Good habits reduce these risks, and our list of woodworking safety habits is a useful starting point.

Where Cabinetmaker Jobs Are

The BLS reports that, among all woodworkers in 2025, 42% worked in furniture and related product manufacturing, 37% in wood product manufacturing, 4% were self-employed and 3% worked for specialty trade contractors.

For cabinetmakers, that translates into employers such as kitchen and bath cabinet manufacturers, furniture makers, store fixture and office furniture manufacturers, and contractors who build and install cabinetry. O*NET lists manufacturing as the top industry for this occupation.

How to Find and Apply for Cabinetmaker Jobs

Search several job titles. Use the titles listed above on general job sites and on manufacturers’ career pages.
Use public job services. CareerOneStop lists job openings and the American Job Centers near you, which offer free help with job searches and training.
Contact local shops directly. Many small cabinet shops hire through word of mouth. A short visit or call to ask whether they are hiring can lead to an interview.
Look into apprenticeships and school programs. Apprenticeship.gov lists registered programs, and community college woodworking and CNC programs often have links to local employers.
Show your work. Photos of pieces you have built, a list of machines you can run, and any credentials help an employer judge your skills quickly.

If you are new to the trade, an entry-level role such as cabinet assembler or sander is a practical way in. It gives you shop experience while you learn layout and machine setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a degree to get a cabinetmaker job?

No. The BLS says a high school diploma or equivalent is typically required, and most training happens on the job.

How long does it take to become a skilled cabinetmaker?

Entry-level tasks can be learned in a month or less, but the BLS says full proficiency usually takes from several months to more than a year.

Can I work as a cabinetmaker from home?

Cabinetmaker jobs with an employer are done in a shop or plant. Some woodworkers are self-employed and build cabinets in their own shop, which makes it a business rather than a job. Our guide on how to start a woodworking business covers that route.

What is the difference between a cabinetmaker and a carpenter?

The BLS treats them as separate occupations. Cabinetmakers build wood products in a shop or plant. Carpenters build and repair structures, such as frameworks and buildings, mostly on construction sites.

Cabinetmaker Jobs: What the Work Involves and How to Get Hired