Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
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.
Median pay: $46,680/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: -1.6% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.
About 8,100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• 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.
• Install hardware, such as hinges, handles, catches, or drawer pulls, using hand tools.
What's the median pay for Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters?
The median pay for Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters is $46,680 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters?
Employment for Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters is projected to change -1.6% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.
What education is typically required for Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters?
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
How many job openings are there each year for Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters?
About 8,100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.