Cabinetmaker
Carpentry & Woodworking
Apply technical knowledge and skills to set up, operate and repair industrial woodworking machinery, and to use such machinery to design and fabricate wooden components and complete articles.
What Cabinetmakers Do
Apply technical knowledge and skills to set up, operate and repair industrial woodworking machinery, and to use such machinery to design and fabricate wooden components and complete articles.
Common Tasks
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
- 1Verify dimensions or check the quality or fit of pieces to ensure adherence to specifications.
- 2Produce or assemble components of articles, such as store fixtures, office equipment, cabinets, or high-grade furniture.
- 3Measure and mark dimensions of parts on paper or lumber stock prior to cutting, following blueprints, to ensure a tight fit and quality product.
- 4Set up or operate machines, including power saws, jointers, mortisers, tenoners, molders, or shapers, to cut, mold, or shape woodstock or wood substitutes.
- 5Establish 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.
Types of Cabinetmakers
Work Environment
Locations
- • Cabinet and millwork shops
- • Furniture manufacturing plants
- • Construction and remodeling job sites
- • Commercial fixture and display shops
- • Industrial woodworking/machine shops
Schedule
Most cabinetmakers work a routine, set schedule in shops or plants, often with production deadlines that create moderate to high time pressure and occasional overtime.
Physical Demands
The work involves long periods of standing, frequent handling of materials and tools, and repetitive motions. Bending, twisting, and walking are common, and safe lifting and machine-guarding practices are essential.
Salary & Job Outlook
National Employment: 195,500 jobs
Top Paying States
Why Demand May Grow
Demand can rise with new home construction, remodeling, and commercial build-outs that require custom cabinets, fixtures, and millwork. Growth in CNC-enabled shops can also increase the need for workers who can set up machines and produce consistent, high-quality parts.
Skills You'll Need
Pros & Cons
Pros
- • Hands-on work with visible, finished results
- • Strong skill transfer to custom work and self-employment
- • Mix of machine operation and fine craftsmanship
- • Opportunities in both shop and installation settings
- • Skills can apply to cabinetry, furniture, and architectural millwork
Cons
- • Standing and repetitive work can be physically tiring
- • Exposure to noise, dust, and shop hazards without proper PPE
- • Time pressure and tight tolerances can be stressful
- • Employment can track construction cycles
- • Some tasks may be reduced by automation or prefabrication
Common Questions About the Cabinetmaker Trade
Ready to Get Started?
Not Sure This Trade is Right?
Take our free career quiz to discover trades that match your interests and skills.
Take the Career Quiz