How to become a cabinetmakers and bench carpenter

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.

Steps to get there

Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

What cabinetmakers and bench carpenters do

• Verify dimensions or check the quality or fit of pieces to ensure adherence to specifications.
• Trim, sand, or scrape surfaces or joints to prepare articles for finishing.
• 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.
• Bore holes for insertion of screws or dowels, by hand or using boring machines.
• Attach parts or subassemblies together to form completed units, using glue, dowels, nails, screws, or clamps.

Skills that matter most

• Monitoring
• Reading Comprehension
• Speaking
• Active Listening
• Mathematics
• Critical Thinking
• Active Learning
• Writing

Is cabinetmakers and bench carpenter a good career?

On the numbers, this job is close to the average across occupations. Median pay is 8% below the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.

Where it pays most

• Delaware $60,090
• New York $58,680
• Connecticut $58,100
• Massachusetts $58,040
• New Hampshire $57,980

Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters salary by state and city

Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.