Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Cabinetmakers And Bench Carpenters
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.
Table of contents
What they do
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.
- 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.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters 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. They trim, sand, or scrape surfaces or joints to prepare articles for finishing.
A typical day for a Cabinetmaker and Bench Carpenter will also include:
- Attach parts or subassemblies together to form completed units, using glue, dowels, nails, screws, or clamps.
- Match materials for color, grain, or texture, giving attention to knots or other features of the wood.
- 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.
- Set up or operate machines, including power saws, jointers, mortisers, tenoners, molders, or shapers, to cut, mold, or shape Woodstock or wood substitutes.
- Estimate the amounts, types, or costs of needed materials.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters also program computers to operate machinery. They may also design furniture, using computer-aided drawing programs.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters draw up detailed specifications and discuss projects with customers. They might also install hardware, such as hinges, handles, catches, or drawer pulls, using hand tools.
In addition, they perform final touch-ups with sandpaper or steel wool.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them boreholes for insertion of screws or dowels, by hand or using boring machines.
To some Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters, it is also their responsibility to repair or alter wooden furniture, cabinetry, fixtures, paneling, or other pieces.
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What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
59% said they were satisfied with their job and 37% said they found their job meaningful.
Our typical day falls into one of two categories: Project Construction and Project Installation. Either day usually begins with a brief meeting to discuss the goals and components involved in that day’s work and any particular problems or constraints that may be encountered throughout the day. One of the greatest aspects of a creative trade … Read More
A Cabinetmaker carpenter and a Benchmaker carpenter are very similar to each other. You can say both professionals are the same. So, the person who cut, shape, and assemble wooden articles and setting up by using or applying woodworking machines (e.g. power saw, wood grill machine, nail gun, jointer, and mortises to surface) and hand … Read More
My name is Nick Zargari and I am the owner of Marquis Fine Cabinetry, a custom cabinetry manufacturer along the Emerald Coast. Since Marquis has been in business for a little over 25 years, we have our daily routine down pretty well. We have a project manager assigned to each day and any leads that … Read More
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who value relationships between co-workers and customers and want to work in a friendly non-competitive environment.
It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required to get started.
Demand for this career is growing.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
One of the lowest paying jobs.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Cabinetmakers And Bench Carpenters with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $25,310 to $29,530 per year or $12 to $14 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $57,460 | $28 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $46,500 | $22 |
| Median | $36,710 | $18 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $29,530 | $14 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $25,310 | $12 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Cabinetmakers And Bench Carpenters based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Executive Branch | $56790 | $27.30 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | $52830 | $25.40 |
| Local Government | $50950 | $24.49 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | $49990 | $24.03 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $48040 | $23.10 |
| Building Material and Supplies Dealers | $46270 | $22.25 |
| Specialized Design Services | $46170 | $22.20 |
| Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $45930 | $22.08 |
| Warehousing and Storage | $45520 | $21.89 |
| Home Furnishings Stores | $44560 | $21.42 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Cabinetmakers And Bench Carpenters work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Cabinetmakers And Bench Carpenters including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | 63270 | $38480 | $18.50 |
| Other Wood Product Manufacturing | 9900 | $36980 | $17.78 |
| Building Finishing Contractors | 6620 | $41620 | $20.01 |
| Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | 2320 | $38890 | $18.70 |
| Residential Building Construction | 1780 | $44310 | $21.30 |
| Employment Services | 1420 | $35800 | $17.21 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | 1050 | $34770 | $16.72 |
| Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | 450 | $32280 | $15.52 |
| Nonresidential Building Construction | 440 | $41800 | $20.10 |
| Furniture Stores | 400 | $40500 | $19.47 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
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Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
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Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Cabinetmaking and Millwork
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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