Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
Production
From a blueprint or spoken instruction, lumber is marked, then cut and shaped on power saws, jointers, mortisers, tenoners, molders, or shapers. Parts for cabinets, store fixtures, office equipment, or high-grade furniture are checked for dimension and fit before they are glued, doweled, nailed, or clamped into a finished unit. Joints are reinforced with fasteners, and hardware such as hinges, handles, catches, and drawer pulls is installed with hand tools. The job suits people who like tight measurements, setting up woodworking machines, and assembling wood so every joint meets the drawing.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$46'680
Median Wage Market Position
$46'680
What you might do
- Build cabinets, store fixtures, and wooden furniture
- Set up saws, jointers, and other woodworking machines
- Measure and mark lumber from the blueprints
- Check each piece for fit and specified size
- Glue, dowel, or clamp parts into finished units
- Fit hinges, handles, and drawer pulls in place
Skills that matter
- Checking cabinet parts for fit
- Operating saws, jointers, and mortisers
- Marking lumber from blueprints before cutting
- Planning the order of cuts and assembly
- Selecting machines for each woodworking step
- Discussing specs from drawings or instructions
AI & the future of this role
Custom joinery, on-site fitting, and finish quality still depend on practiced hands and spatial judgment that machines only partly replace. CNC and nesting software may absorb more repetitive cutting, but repair, remodel, and bespoke work continue to support solid demand.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details