Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
SOC code 51-7011 · O*NET-SOC 51-7011.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Manufacturing and production
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$46,680
a year
Hourly
$22.44
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$48,290
$23.22 per hour
Middle 50%
$38,830 – $55,760
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$35,650 – $63,720
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
77,170
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $35,650
- $17.14/hr
- 25th percentile
- $38,830
- $18.67/hr
- Median percentile
- $46,680
- $22.44/hr
- 75th percentile
- $55,760
- $26.81/hr
- 90th percentile
- $63,720
- $30.64/hr
What do cabinetmakers and bench carpenters do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Verify dimensions or check the quality or fit of pieces to ensure adherence to specifications.
- Design furniture, using computer-aided drawing programs.
- Produce or assemble components of articles, such as store fixtures, office equipment, cabinets, or high-grade furniture.
- Program computers to operate machinery.
- 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.
- 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.
- Match materials for color, grain, or texture, giving attention to knots or other features of the wood.
How to qualify for this work
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- 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.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does a cabinetmakers and bench carpenters earn?
The national median is $46,680 a year. The full range runs from $35,650 at the 10th percentile to $63,720 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a cabinetmakers and bench carpenters without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Monitoring3.0/5
- Reading Comprehension2.9/5
- Speaking2.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Building and Construction3.2/5
- Mathematics3.1/5
- Production and Processing3.0/5
- Design2.9/5
- Mechanical2.9/5
- Administration and Management2.6/5
- Engineering and Technology2.5/5
Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Operation and Control, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management, Complex Problem Solving.