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Cabinetmaker or Bench Carpenter

All About Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters

Occupation Description 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.

Cabinetmaker or Bench Carpenter Responsibilities

  • Attach parts or subassemblies together to form completed units, using glue, dowels, nails, screws, or clamps.
  • Measure and mark dimensions of parts on paper or lumber stock prior to cutting, following blueprints, to ensure a tight fit and quality product.
  • Install hardware, such as hinges, handles, catches, or drawer pulls, using hand tools.
  • Design furniture, using computer-aided drawing programs.
  • Bore holes for insertion of screws or dowels, by hand or using boring machines.
  • Estimate the amounts, types, or costs of needed materials.

Qualities of a Cabinetmaker or Bench Carpenter

Below is a list of the skills most Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters say are important on the job.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

  • Chair Maker
  • Frame Carpenter
  • Experimental Box Tester
  • Counter Top Maker
  • Mantel Craftsman

What Kind of Cabinetmaker or Bench Carpenter Job Opportunities Are There?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 109,300 jobs in the United States for Cabinetmaker or Bench Carpenter. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 2.3% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 2,500 new jobs for Cabinetmaker or Bench Carpenter by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 11,500 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Cabinetmaker or Bench Carpenter are Utah, Nevada, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, New Mexico, or Kansas. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does a Cabinetmaker or Bench Carpenter Make?

The typical yearly salary for Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters is somewhere between $22,830 and $54,140.

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Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters who work in Hawaii, Rhode Island, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $29,610
Alaska $46,270
Arizona $38,370
Arkansas $29,650
California $37,520
Colorado $36,840
Connecticut $46,210
Delaware $45,300
Florida $37,420
Georgia $35,220
Hawaii $54,100
Idaho $35,520
Illinois $40,320
Indiana $33,990
Iowa $35,770
Kansas $31,970
Kentucky $31,130
Louisiana $32,130
Maine $39,690
Maryland $45,180
Massachusetts $46,200
Michigan $38,770
Minnesota $40,990
Mississippi $26,610
Missouri $34,960
Montana $37,540
Nebraska $39,620
Nevada $37,580
New Hampshire $45,300
New Jersey $44,270
New Mexico $32,210
New York $44,040
North Carolina $30,520
North Dakota $37,870
Ohio $35,580
Oklahoma $32,630
Oregon $35,990
Pennsylvania $39,560
Rhode Island $45,380
South Carolina $35,120
South Dakota $31,700
Tennessee $31,280
Texas $31,850
Utah $35,410
Vermont $39,730
Virginia $36,370
Washington $41,400
West Virginia $32,630
Wisconsin $33,410
Wyoming $41,140

Tools & Technologies Used by Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Data entry software
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Computer aided design CAD software
  • Computerized maintenance management system CMMS

Becoming a Cabinetmaker or Bench Carpenter

Education needed to be a Cabinetmaker or Bench Carpenter:

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What work experience do I need to become a Cabinetmaker or Bench Carpenter?

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Who Employs Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters?

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The table below shows the approximate number of Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters employed by various industries.

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References:

Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Sadie Colbert via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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