Carpenter vs. Woodworker: Work, Training, Pay and Outlook

Carpenters and woodworkers both work with wood, but the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) treats them as separate occupations. Carpenters build, repair and install the frameworks and structures of buildings, mostly on construction sites. Woodworkers make wood products, such as cabinets and furniture, mostly in shops and factories.

This guide compares the two jobs on the work itself, where it is done, the training needed, pay and the job outlook. Figures come from the BLS and were checked in October 2026.

The Two Jobs at a Glance

	Carpenters	Woodworkers
What they do	Construct, repair and install building frameworks and structures	Manufacture products such as cabinets and furniture
Where they work	Construction sites, indoors and outdoors	Shops and factories
Jobs in 2025	889,700	199,900
Median annual wage, May 2025	$60,580	$45,310
Typical training	Apprenticeship or on the job	On the job
Projected change, 2025–2035	Grow 4%	Decline 2%
Openings per year	About 62,800	About 18,100

The Work Itself

Carpenters

According to the BLS, carpenters typically:

Follow blueprints and building plans to meet clients’ needs.
Install structures and fixtures, such as windows and molding.
Measure, cut and shape wood, plastic and other materials.
Construct and install building frameworks, including walls, floors and doorframes.
Inspect and replace damaged framework and fixtures.
Instruct and direct laborers and other construction helpers.

The range is wide. The BLS notes that some carpenters insulate office buildings, others install drywall or kitchen cabinets in homes, and others build concrete forms, shoring and scaffolding on large commercial projects such as tall buildings and bridges.

Woodworkers

The BLS says woodworkers typically:

Read architectural drawings, shop drawings and blueprints.
Set up machines and tooling, and operate saws, milling machines and sanders.
Select the right cutting, milling, boring and sanding tools for each job.
Use hand tools to trim pieces and assemble products.
Check that products meet specifications.
Maintain machines, such as by cleaning, oiling and replacing worn blades.

Woodworkers include cabinetmakers and bench carpenters, furniture finishers, and woodworking and sawing machine operators. Many products are mass produced on assembly lines, often using computerized numerical control (CNC) machines, while some custom work is still done by hand.

Where the Two Overlap

The jobs meet in a few places. Carpenters install kitchen cabinets, windows and molding that woodworkers often build in a shop. Cabinetmakers sometimes see a project through to installation, according to the BLS. And some carpenters work in factories: the BLS counts 9,600 carpenters in wood product manufacturing and 11,620 in furniture manufacturing in 2025.

Where the Work Is Done

Carpenters work indoors and outdoors on many types of construction projects. The BLS notes they may work in cramped spaces, alternate between lifting, standing and kneeling, and deal with weather that affects project schedules. Most work full time, which may include evenings and weekends to meet deadlines.

The largest employers of carpenters in 2025 were:

Self-employed: 25%
Residential building construction: 23%
Building finishing contractors: 13%
Nonresidential building construction: 12%
Foundation, structure and building exterior contractors: 10%

Woodworkers work in shops and plants, where noise and dust are common. Most work full time during regular business hours. The largest employers of woodworkers in 2025 were furniture manufacturing (42%), wood product manufacturing (37%), self-employment (4%) and specialty trade contractors (3%).

Training and Getting Started

Both jobs typically need a high school diploma or equivalent.

Carpenters usually learn on the job or through apprenticeships. The BLS says unions and contractor associations sponsor apprenticeship programs, in which apprentices complete a set number of hours of technical training and paid on-the-job training each year. Apprentices learn carpentry basics, blueprint reading, math, building code requirements, and safety and first aid. The BLS also notes that all carpenters must pass the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10-hour safety course. Some carpenters start as construction laborers or helpers.

Woodworkers usually train on the job. Beginners start with basic tasks, such as feeding wood through a machine, and become fully proficient over several months to more than a year. Some train through apprenticeships offered by employers or unions, and CNC certification may help.

Pay

Carpenters earn more on average. In May 2025, the BLS reported these figures:

Carpenters: median $60,580 a year. The lowest 10% earned less than $40,410, and the highest 10% earned more than $99,910.
Woodworkers: median $45,310 a year. The lowest 10% earned less than $33,280, and the highest 10% earned more than $60,240.

Among woodworkers, cabinetmakers and bench carpenters had the highest median, at $46,680. Among carpenters, those in nonresidential building construction had a median of $63,780. The BLS notes that apprentice carpenters start at lower pay that rises as they gain experience.

Job Outlook

Carpenters: The BLS projects 4% growth from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Population growth should lead to more new-home construction, and construction of factories and other nonresidential buildings should add jobs. However, modular and prefabricated components, such as roofs, walls and entire buildings made in a factory and assembled on site, reduce the need for carpenters to build structures from scratch.

Woodworkers: The BLS projects a 2% decline from 2025 to 2035. Automation, especially CNC machines in wood product manufacturing, is expected to reduce demand. Demand for products used in home renovation and outdoor structures for restaurants and other businesses may sustain some jobs.

Both occupations will still have many openings each year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change jobs: about 62,800 a year for carpenters and 18,100 for woodworkers.

Which One Fits You?

A carpenter’s job may suit you if you:

Prefer varied work that changes from site to site.
Are comfortable working outdoors, in cramped spaces and in changing weather.
Want to enter through a structured, paid apprenticeship.
Are interested in a larger occupation with more openings each year.

A woodworker’s job may suit you if you:

Prefer working indoors in one place, with regular hours.
Enjoy precise work, fine details and finishes.
Are interested in machines and CNC technology.
Want to build furniture, cabinets or custom pieces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a cabinetmaker a carpenter or a woodworker?

The BLS classifies cabinetmakers as woodworkers, under cabinetmakers and bench carpenters. Carpenters may install cabinets on site, but building them in a shop is woodworking.

Who earns more, carpenters or woodworkers?

Carpenters. The May 2025 median was $60,580 for carpenters and $45,310 for woodworkers, according to the BLS.

Can a woodworker become a carpenter?

Yes. Many skills carry over, such as measuring, cutting and reading drawings. A carpentry apprenticeship is the usual way to learn the construction side, including building codes and site safety.

Carpenter vs. Woodworker: Which Job Fits You?