Post job

Cabinet maker vs woodworker

The differences between cabinet makers and woodworkers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a woodworker has an average salary of $51,598, 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 a woodworker are hand tools, table saws, and tape measure.

Cabinet maker vs woodworker overview

Cabinet MakerWoodworker
Yearly salary$36,494$51,598
Hourly rate$17.55$24.81
Growth rate3%-
Number of jobs7,31984
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age4645
Years of experience4-

What does a cabinet maker do?

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.

What does a woodworker do?

A woodworker is primarily focused on producing products from wood materials. Products designed by woodworkers include musical instruments, furniture, kitchen cabinets, and other similar products. Woodworkers are also called carpenters, and they are skilled in building with carpentry tools. They must have excellent physical strength.

Cabinet maker vs woodworker salary

Cabinet makers and woodworkers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Cabinet MakerWoodworker
Average salary$36,494$51,598
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $48,000Between $24,000 And $108,000
Highest paying CityElizabeth, NJMarshfield, MA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyAlaska
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyArmstrong World Industries
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between cabinet maker and woodworker education

There are a few differences between a cabinet maker and a woodworker in terms of educational background:

Cabinet MakerWoodworker
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common majorBusinessFine Arts
Most common college--

Cabinet maker vs woodworker demographics

Here are the differences between cabinet makers' and woodworkers' demographics:

Cabinet MakerWoodworker
Average age4645
Gender ratioMale, 92.7% Female, 7.3%Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratioBlack 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, 6.2% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 2.5% White, 75.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage5%3%

Differences between cabinet maker and woodworker duties and responsibilities

Cabinet maker example 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.
  • Skil in using veneer, solid wood, Formica, among other types of wood.
  • Resurface bathtubs and counter tops.Helper, prepper, painting, caulking, sanding, masking.
  • Show more

Woodworker example responsibilities.

  • Used all wood shop saws, drills, planers, routers etc.
  • Operate all types of woodworking equipment, sliding panel saws, band saws, mortise machines, planers, etc.
  • Follow blueprints of pianos to be build.
  • Prep fruits and vegetables for smoothies and juices.
  • Operate CNC machines in the production of wooden table legs and columns.
  • Produce wood products using industrial shapers, saws, planers and sanders.
  • Show more

Cabinet maker vs woodworker skills

Common cabinet maker skills
  • Hand Tools, 28%
  • Shop Drawings, 7%
  • Tape Measure, 7%
  • Table Saws, 5%
  • CNC Router, 5%
  • Power Saws, 4%
Common woodworker skills
  • Hand Tools, 31%
  • Table Saws, 11%
  • Tape Measure, 10%
  • Pallets, 9%
  • CNC, 9%
  • Routers, 5%

Browse production and manufacturing jobs