What Do Cabinetmaker or Bench Carpenter Do?
Position 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.
List of Cabinetmaker or Bench Carpenter Job Duties
- Match materials for color, grain, or texture, giving attention to knots or other features of the wood.
- Program computers to operate machinery.
- Design furniture, using computer-aided drawing programs.
- Draw up detailed specifications and discuss projects with customers.
- Cut timber to the right size and shape and trim parts of joints to ensure a snug fit, using hand tools, such as planes, chisels, or wood files.
- Estimate the amounts, types, or costs of needed materials.
Featured schools near , edit
Cabinetmaker or Bench Carpenter Skills
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Types of Cabinetmaker or Bench Carpenter Jobs
- Alteration Worker
- Chair Maker
- Hand Violin Maker
- Sander
- Wood Ski Maker
Cabinetmaker or Bench Carpenter Job Outlook
In the United States, there were 109,300 jobs for Cabinetmaker or Bench Carpenter in 2016. 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. There will be an estimated 11,500 positions for Cabinetmaker or Bench Carpenter per year.

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.
Average Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters Salary
The average yearly salary of a Cabinetmaker or Bench Carpenter ranges between $22,830 and $54,140.

Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters who work in Hawaii, Rhode Island, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.
How much do Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters make 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 |
What Tools & Technology do Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters Use?
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
What education or degrees do I need to become a Cabinetmaker or Bench Carpenter?

How Long Does it Take to Become a Cabinetmaker or Bench Carpenter?

Where Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters Work

Below are examples of industries where Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters work:

References:
Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Sadie Colbert via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |