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.
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
SOC: 51-7011 O*NET: 51-7011.00
Median Salary
$46,020
per year
Job Growth
📉 -1.6%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
8.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$34,700
10th percentile
Early Career
$38,240
25th percentile
Median
$46,020
50th percentile
Experienced
$54,010
75th percentile
Top Earners
$63,220
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$34,700
25th
$38,240
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$46,020
Mean: $47,460
75th
$54,010
90th
$63,220
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $28,520 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $38,240 and $54,010
- •Salary spread is 34.3% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 79,540 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:86,000
Top Industries
Manufacturing84%
Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing73.2%
Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (3371 and 3372 only)73.2%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-1.6%
Annual Openings:8,100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)86,000
Current
2034 (Projected)84,700
-1.6%
-1,400
Employment Change
-1.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 49 locations
California
8,560 jobs$47,8700.92x
Texas
5,660 jobs$39,0700.79x
Indiana
5,050 jobs$38,7503.07x
Pennsylvania
3,880 jobs$45,3201.25x
Georgia
3,780 jobs$42,2101.51x
Florida
3,620 jobs$46,8700.72x
New York
3,290 jobs$57,5500.67x
Ohio
3,160 jobs$48,1601.11x
Minnesota
2,770 jobs$47,3301.84x
North Carolina
2,420 jobs$42,6800.96x
Missouri
2,300 jobs$45,1301.53x
Utah
2,040 jobs$46,7502.31x
Illinois
2,020 jobs$51,1100.65x
Alabama
1,930 jobs$39,7101.79x
Wisconsin
1,900 jobs$46,1501.26x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Quality Control Analysis
94%
#3
Monitoring
86%
#4
Operation and Control
80%
#5
Judgment and Decision Making
74%
#6
Troubleshooting
66%
#7
Time Management
60%
#8
Equipment Selection
54%
#9
Operations Analysis
46%
#10
Critical Thinking
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Quality Control Analysis
advanced4.7
94%
Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Operation and Control
intermediate4.0
80%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.7
74%
Troubleshooting
intermediate3.3
66%
Time Management
intermediate3.0
60%
Equipment Selection
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Operation and Control
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Troubleshooting
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Equipment Selection
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Operations Analysis
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic90%
5 shared skills
Tool and Die Makers67%
5 shared skills
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians64%
5 shared skills
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas60%
5 shared skills
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood60%
5 shared skills
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic58%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Troubleshooting
- →Equipment Selection
- →Time Management
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Quality Control Analysis
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Excel
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
20
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (12)Operations & Execution (3)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Planning & Development (3)
1
Produce or assemble components of articles, such as store fixtures, office equipment, cabinets, or high-grade furniture.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Verify dimensions or check the quality or fit of pieces to ensure adherence to specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Set up or operate machines, including power saws, jointers, mortisers, tenoners, molders, or shapers, to cut, mold, or shape woodstock or wood substitutes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution94% perform96%
4
Measure and mark dimensions of parts on paper or lumber stock prior to cutting, following blueprints, to ensure a tight fit and quality product.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Reinforce joints with nails or other fasteners to prepare articles for finishing.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Attach parts or subassemblies together to form completed units, using glue, dowels, nails, screws, or clamps.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Match materials for color, grain, or texture, giving attention to knots or other features of the wood.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Trim, sand, or scrape surfaces or joints to prepare articles for finishing.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •35% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters professionals typically have a RCA Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
CConventional
AArtistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.54
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.48
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.96
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level3.85
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.73
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.73
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.5
Cooperation
4.0
Stress Tolerance
3.9
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.7
Self-Control
3.7
Persistence
3.7
Concern for Others
3.7
Integrity
3.6
Initiative
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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