What is a cabinet maker and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

Cabinet makers are responsible for setting up tools and materials at each job site. They create cabinetry from a variety of materials, including wood, laminate, and thermofoil. They may then apply decorative elements as well, such as paint and mosaics. They also select the appropriate materials, fittings, and tools for each task while cutting resources down to size as needed. Cabinet makers earn an average salary of $37,000 annually or $18 per hour.

Cabinet makers fit parts together using glue and clamps, reinforce joints using nails or screws and wooden sand surfaces, and apply veneer, stain, or polish to finished products. They also repair or restyle wooden furniture or fixtures while marking outlines or dimensions on wood. Their duties also include verifying and double-checking all calculations to ensure alignment of doors, hinges, and side panels, always using blueprints or design plans for reference.

Cabinet makers typically hold a high school diploma or its equivalent. They are expected to have prior experience as a cabinet maker with a portfolio of completed works. Some employers prefer candidates who have completed a training program or apprenticeship and have the ability to visualize spaces to create appropriate furniture.

ScoreCabinet MakerUS Average
Salary
2.9

Avg. Salary $36,494

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
5.4

Growth Rate 3%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.66%

Asian 1.82%

Black or African American 4.67%

Hispanic or Latino 20.25%

Unknown 3.74%

White 68.86%

Gender

female 7.27%

male 92.73%

Age - 47
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47
Stress Level
5.4

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
4.5

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
5.0

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

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Cabinet Maker career paths

Key steps to become a cabinet maker

  1. Explore cabinet maker education requirements

    Most common cabinet maker degrees

    High School Diploma

    43.2 %

    Bachelor's

    21.7 %

    Associate

    18.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific cabinet maker skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Hand Tools28.44%
    Shop Drawings7.43%
    Tape Measure7.24%
    Table Saws5.21%
    CNC Router4.54%
  3. Complete relevant cabinet maker training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New cabinet makers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a cabinet maker based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real cabinet maker resumes.
  4. Research cabinet maker duties and responsibilities

    • Perform building of custom cabinetry from detail blueprints, using planers, jointers, shapers, and various woodworking machinery.
    • Used table see, panel see, planers, jointer, routers, shapers, and nailers.
    • Verify dimensions of carving, using rule and dividers.
    • Design, replace, and maintain electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems.
  5. Prepare your cabinet maker resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your cabinet maker resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a cabinet maker resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Cabinet Maker Resume templates

    Build a professional Cabinet Maker resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Cabinet Maker resume.
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    Cabinet Maker Resume
  6. Apply for cabinet maker jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a cabinet maker job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Cabinet Maker Job

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Average cabinet maker salary

The average Cabinet Maker salary in the United States is $36,494 per year or $18 per hour. Cabinet maker salaries range between $27,000 and $48,000 per year.

Average Cabinet Maker Salary
$36,494 Yearly
$17.55 hourly

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How do cabinet makers rate their job?

4/5

Based On 1 Ratings

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1 Star

Cabinet Maker reviews

profile
4.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

Nature of projects can vary a lot within the field. One project could be building doors, big doors, cabinet doors, etc, while other projects could be building a bench for a kitchen, for example. This makes cm an interesting industry. The range of projects is wide

Cons

Coworkers not being as passionate, supervisors with a big ego, and sometimes not being paid as ideally or as proportionate with the amount of work.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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