Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters

Wages
In 2015, the average annual wage in a Alabama was $26,060 with most people making betweeen $19,670 and $38,300
Wages by Industry
  • Household and Institutional Furniture and Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturing $30,910.00
  • Office Furniture (including Fixtures) Manufacturing $33,750.00
  • Other Wood Product Manufacturing $30,980.00
  • Building Finishing Contractors $35,380.00
  • Building Material and Supplies Dealers $31,220.00
Education Required
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Common Majors
  • Cabinetmaking and Millwork
About the job

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.


What you'll do
    • Apply Masonite, formica, or vinyl surfacing materials.
    • Bore holes for insertion of screws or dowels, by hand or using boring machines.
    • Design furniture, using computer-aided drawing programs.
    • Dip, brush, or spray assembled articles with protective or decorative finishes, such as stain, varnish, paint, or lacquer.
    • Discuss projects with customers, and draw up detailed specifications.
    • Estimate the amounts, types, or costs of needed materials.
    • Install hardware, such as hinges, handles, catches, or drawer pulls, using hand tools.
    • Perform final touch-ups with sandpaper or steel wool.
    • Program computers to operate machinery.
    • Repair or alter wooden furniture, cabinetry, fixtures, paneling, or other pieces.
Things you need to know
    • Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
    • Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
    • Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
    • Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
    • Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Abilities you'll need to have
    • Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
    • Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
    • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
    • Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
    • Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
    • Equipment Selection - Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
    • Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.