How to Become a Cabinet Maker

Quick Facts

  • Average Salary: $43,120/year
  • Required Education: High school diploma or equivalent
  • Required Experience: Entry-level through apprenticeship
  • Licensing: Not required, but certification may enhance job prospects
  • Job Outlook: 3% growth (2020-2030)

What Does a Cabinet Maker Do?

A Cabinet Maker is a skilled professional in the Finishing Trades sector of the Construction industry. As a Cabinet Maker, your job is to design, cut, and assemble wooden furniture and cabinetry. You work with different types of wood and make a variety of items such as cabinets, tables, chairs and more.

Typically, Cabinet Makers work in workshops or manufacturing factories. They use various tools, including hand tools and power tools, to cut, shape, and join the wood pieces together according to a blueprint or design specifications.

Your responsibilities as a Cabinet Maker include interpreting designs and technical drawings, selecting the right type of wood, cutting and shaping it into the right parts, and finally, assembling the parts to make the final product. You will also need to finish the product by sanding, staining, and sealing the wood to make it look beautiful and long-lasting.

The job of a Cabinet Maker requires patience, precision, creativity, and a love for working with your hands. If you enjoy the smell of wood, the feel of a finely crafted furniture piece, and the satisfaction of creating something beautiful and functional, then being a Cabinet Maker could be a perfect career for you.

Skills Required

Technical Skills

  • Blueprint Reading
  • Cabinet Assembly
  • Surface Preparation
  • Stain Matching
  • Finish Spraying
  • Sanding Techniques

Soft Skills

  • Attention to Detail
  • Problem Solving
  • Time Management
  • Teamwork

Education and Training Requirements

Required Education

Licensing and Certification

State Requirements

Not required, but certification may enhance job prospects

Salary and Job Outlook

How to Get Started