Occupation · SOC 51-7011
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
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 wage
$46,020
$34,700–$63,220
Projected growth
-1.5%
Declining
Annual openings
-140
per year
Employed (US)
79,540
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
58 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringQuality Control AnalysisOperation and ControlMonitoringTime ManagementSpeakingCritical ThinkingOperations Analysis
Knowledge areas
MathematicsBuilding and ConstructionProduction and ProcessingMechanicalDesign
Technology & tools
Computer aided design CAD softwareProject management softwareFacilities management softwareSpreadsheet softwareElectronic mail software
Representative tasks
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.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.Set up or operate machines, including power saws, jointers, mortisers, tenoners, molders, or shapers, to cut, mold, or shape woodstock or wood substitutes.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.Trim, sand, or scrape surfaces or joints to prepare articles for finishing.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.Match materials for color, grain, or texture, giving attention to knots or other features of the wood.Perform final touch-ups with sandpaper or steel wool.Bore holes for insertion of screws or dowels, by hand or using boring machines.Repair or alter wooden furniture, cabinetry, fixtures, paneling, or other pieces.Estimate the amounts, types, or costs of needed materials.Dip, brush, or spray assembled articles with protective or decorative finishes, such as stain, varnish, paint, or lacquer.Draw up detailed specifications and discuss projects with customers.Design furniture, using computer-aided drawing programs.Apply Masonite, formica, or vinyl surfacing materials.Program computers to operate machinery.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Lumber dimensions and measuring tools — identify and apply under direct supervision to mark cut lines on wood stock prior to sawing in a shop setting.Blueprint symbols and basic diagrams — read and interpret with guidance to determine part dimensions for straightforward cabinet components.Hand tools including hammers, screwdrivers, and chisels — select and use under supervision to attach hardware such as hinges and drawer pulls on cabinet assemblies.Glue, dowels, nails, and screws — apply under direction to join pre-cut parts and subassemblies during bench assembly tasks in a production shop.Fasteners and reinforcing techniques — follow established protocols to reinforce joints with nails and staples on furniture pieces prior to finishing.Power saws and jointers — operate under close supervision following safety procedures to perform basic crosscuts and rip cuts on lumber stock.Fit and dimension checks — perform routine quality inspections using squares and tape measures to verify parts meet specifications before assembly.Work area and hand tools — maintain in an organized and safe condition by following shop housekeeping standards at the end of each shift.Time management basics — follow daily task schedules assigned by a supervisor to complete component preparation within expected production timelines.Hardware components such as catches and handles — sort, count, and stage according to job orders to support efficient assembly workflow in a cabinet shop.
developing
Measured cut lines and layout marks — produce accurately on lumber and sheet stock using squares, marking gauges, and tape measures based on blueprints with minimal oversight.Power machines including shapers, molders, and tenoners — set up and operate routinely to cut, mold, and shape wood stock to specified profiles in a production environment.Cabinet and fixture subassemblies — build and fit together using glue, clamps, and mechanical fasteners by following established shop procedures with reduced supervision.Part dimensions and tolerances — verify against specifications using calipers, straightedges, and squares to identify and correct out-of-tolerance pieces before final assembly.Blueprint drawings and written instructions — interpret independently to establish construction sequences and select appropriate materials for standard cabinet or furniture projects.Hardware installation including hinges, pulls, and catches — execute accurately using hand and power tools to achieve proper alignment and smooth operation on completed units.Machine settings and tooling — adjust on jointers and mortisers to accommodate different wood species and part profiles encountered in routine shop production.Quality defects such as gaps, tearout, or misaligned joints — identify through visual inspection and tactile checking, applying corrective actions within familiar production contexts.Production timelines for assigned work orders — monitor and manage by coordinating personal task sequencing to meet daily output targets in a shop environment.Joints reinforced with nails, biscuits, or dowels — prepare consistently to ready furniture and fixture parts for finishing operations in a bench carpentry workflow.
proficient
Complex assembly operations for high-grade furniture and custom store fixtures — execute autonomously across the full production scope, resolving fit issues and adapting methods as non-standard conditions arise.Machine operations spanning power saws, shapers, jointers, and mortisers — configure and control independently, troubleshooting mechanical irregularities and adjusting feeds and speeds for varied wood species and product requirements.Construction methods and part sequencing — plan and document from blueprints, diagrams, and client-supplied drawings to establish efficient build strategies for custom or non-routine cabinetry projects.Dimensional accuracy and product quality — analyze across complete units using precision instruments, identifying root causes of recurring defects and implementing corrective measures without supervisory input.Material yield and cutting layouts — optimize on lumber and panel stock to minimize waste while maintaining specification compliance across a full production run.Hardware systems including European hinges, soft-close mechanisms, and adjustable shelving standards — install and calibrate with precision to meet functional and aesthetic standards on finished cabinet work.CAD software and shop drawings — use to review, cross-check, and communicate design intent with production teams and clients during custom millwork or fixture projects.Non-routine fit problems such as out-of-square openings or irregular substrates — diagnose and resolve through applied critical thinking and judgment during installation and finishing phases.Equipment selection decisions — make independently by evaluating tool capabilities against project material and tolerance requirements in a production shop context.Joint reinforcement and assembly techniques for structural integrity — evaluate and select among alternatives including mortise-and-tenon, pocket screws, and splines to match load requirements and product grade.
advanced
Shop production standards and quality benchmarks — establish and communicate across the cabinetmaking team to drive consistent output quality and adherence to customer specifications.Workflow systems and machine scheduling — design and implement to maximize throughput, reduce bottlenecks, and meet delivery commitments across concurrent production orders in a shop environment.Apprentice and junior cabinetmakers — mentor and develop by providing structured on-the-job instruction in machine operation, layout, assembly, and quality inspection techniques.Complex or novel construction challenges — lead resolution efforts by drawing on deep knowledge of woodworking methods, materials, and engineering principles to deliver viable solutions at the organizational level.CAD and project management software tools — champion adoption and standardized use across the shop to improve design accuracy, material planning, and project tracking.Safety protocols and equipment maintenance programs — develop and enforce to ensure regulatory compliance and minimize injury and machine downtime across the production floor.Material procurement specifications and vendor relationships — oversee to secure consistent lumber and hardware quality, manage costs, and align purchasing with production schedules.Performance metrics including waste rates, rework frequency, and cycle times — monitor and analyze at a shop-wide level, initiating process improvements based on data-driven findings.Custom millwork and high-grade furniture projects — lead from specification through delivery, coordinating with clients, designers, and production staff to ensure technical and aesthetic outcomes are achieved.Organizational capability in cabinetmaking craftsmanship — build by evaluating skill gaps, directing training investments, and modeling professional standards of precision, dependability, and integrity across the workforce.
Also known as
86 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Experimental Box TesterWoodwork Hat Block MakerPipe-Organ BuilderCabinet WorkerStructural (Air Force 3E3X1)Stock Checkerer IFramerConstruction Engineering Technician (Army 120A)Fretted-Instrument Maker, HandBuilder (Navy BU)Cabinet MakerHarp MakerGuitar MakerWood Furniture AssemblerFrame BuilderCabinet SpecialistAccordion MakerStructural Journeyman (Air Force 3E351)Frame CarpenterRouter OperatorCarver, HandCombat Engineer (Marine Corps 1371)Cabinet InstallerConstructionman (Navy CN)Structural Helper (Air Force 3E311)WoodworkerHarpsichord MakerMaterial Maintenance Specialty (Coast Guard MAT)Violin MakerHand CarverLast Model MakerWood Working AssemblerCarpentry and Masonry Specialist (Army 12W)Violin Maker, HandChair MechanicChair MenderCabinetmakerCabinet FinisherWood MachinistExperimental-Box Tester