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The differences between cabinet makers and installers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a cabinet maker, becoming an installer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an installer has an average salary of $39,799, which is higher than the $36,494 average annual salary of a cabinet maker.
The top three skills for a cabinet maker include hand tools, shop drawings and tape measure. The most important skills for an installer are customer service, windows, and plumbing.
| Cabinet Maker | Installer | |
| Yearly salary | $36,494 | $39,799 |
| Hourly rate | $17.55 | $19.13 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 7,319 | 30,303 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 43% | High School Diploma, 45% |
| Average age | 46 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
A cabinet maker specializes in constructing cabinets and other wooden furniture, even restoring antiques. They usually create their own designs, but there are also times when they craft specific cabinets according to client requests and orders. A cabinet maker usually meets with clients to discuss cabinet specifications, and they may also travel to homes or establishments to obtain measurements and perform other assessments. Their job entails planning methods and materials, purchasing supplies, operating woodworking machinery, assembling parts, and applying paint and other finishing materials to surfaces.
Installers are assigned to assemble equipment or fixtures in the client's work or home area. They should have extensive knowledge of the product they will install to ensure it works as intended. They should also be familiar with handling different tools, especially those that would help them build the product. Installers should be able to walk the client through how to use the product. They should also be able to answer any inquiries that the client may have. Installers should have quick decision-making skills, interpersonal skills, and creativity.
Cabinet makers and installers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cabinet Maker | Installer | |
| Average salary | $36,494 | $39,799 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $48,000 | Between $31,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | Elizabeth, NJ | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Washington |
| Best paying company | University of California, Berkeley | Pella |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a cabinet maker and an installer in terms of educational background:
| Cabinet Maker | Installer | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 43% | High School Diploma, 45% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between cabinet makers' and installers' demographics:
| Cabinet Maker | Installer | |
| Average age | 46 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.7% Female, 7.3% | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 1.8% White, 68.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 1.6% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 2% |