What does a cabinet maker do?

Updated January 8, 2025

6 min read

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.

On this page

Cabinet maker responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real cabinet maker resumes:

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.
Perform all maintenance on machines, equipment and maintain the cleanliness of the workplace daily.
Operate diamond and carbon silicate see to cut drain grooves and sink openings in sandstone countertops.
Work with a variety of heavy power tools (table see, shapers, planers, etc . )
Operate, service and calibrate all hand, power and pneumatic tools, as well as forklift and CNC machine.
Experience in the use of various hoists and cranes, proper use of slings, straps, and spreader bars.
Fabricate jigs and fixtures for accurate and repeatable execution of critical fit requirements for components.
Used power tools such as jig see, band see, rotary see, power drill and drill hammer.
Build cabinets and also help load for delivery.cleane up shop when needed.Ran various machines and saws.
Operate electric cordless and hammer drills.

Cabinet maker skills and personality traits

We calculated that 28% of Cabinet Makers are proficient in Hand Tools, Shop Drawings, and Tape Measure. They’re also known for soft skills such as Mechanical skills, Technical skills, and Detail oriented.

We break down the percentage of Cabinet Makers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

Hand Tools, 28%
Performed and applied surface laminate to counter tops on countless tasks uses various hand tools to fabricate and repair wooden cabinets.
Shop Drawings, 7%
Build, Laminated, Veneered, Finished, and Installed projects from blueprints and shop drawings specifications.
Tape Measure, 7%
Read tape measures for cutting materials such as shelving materials for building cabinets.
Table Saws, 5%
Utilized numerous hand and power tools such as table saws and routers to complete work assignments.
CNC Router, 5%
Panel Saw Operator as well as CNC Router and maintained the CNC equipment.
Power Saws, 4%
Operate a variety of woodworking machines, such as power saws and sanders.

Common skills that a cabinet maker uses to do their job include "hand tools," "shop drawings," and "tape measure." You can find details on the most important cabinet maker responsibilities below.

Mechanical skills. One of the key soft skills for a cabinet maker to have is mechanical skills. You can see how this relates to what cabinet makers do because "the use of handtools, such as screwdrivers and wrenches, is required to set up, adjust, and calibrate machines." Additionally, a cabinet maker resume shows how cabinet makers use mechanical skills: "performed all mechanical assembly operations by using hand tools. "

Technical skills. Many cabinet maker duties rely on technical skills. "woodworkers must be able to interpret design drawings and technical manuals for a range of products and machines," so a cabinet maker will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways cabinet maker responsibilities rely on technical skills: "job duties: assemble cabinets and retail store fixtures using technical drawing/plans. "

Detail oriented. This is an important skill for cabinet makers to perform their duties. For an example of how cabinet maker responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "woodworkers must pay attention to details in order to meet specifications and to keep themselves safe." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a cabinet maker: "read detailed shop drawings and work orders. ".

Dexterity. cabinet maker responsibilities often require "dexterity." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "woodworkers must make precise cuts with a variety of handtools and power tools, so they need good hand-eye coordination." This resume example shows what cabinet makers do with dexterity on a typical day: "assembled and finished store fixtures, ran forklift. "

All cabinet maker skills

The three companies that hire the most cabinet makers are:

A-dec6 cabinet makers jobs
AAA FACILITY SERVICES5 cabinet makers jobs
PDS Tech4 cabinet makers jobs

Choose from 10+ customizable cabinet maker resume templates

Build a professional cabinet maker resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your cabinet maker resume.

Compare different cabinet makers

Cabinet maker vs. Wood working assembler

We looked at the average cabinet maker salary and compared it with the wages of a wood working assembler. Generally speaking, wood working assemblers are paid $4,539 lower than cabinet makers per year.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both cabinet maker and wood working assembler positions are skilled in tape measure, table saws, and power saws.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, cabinet maker responsibilities require skills like "hand tools," "shop drawings," "cnc router," and "cabinet shop." Meanwhile a typical wood working assembler has skills in areas such as "customer service," "safety rules," "cnc machines," and "storage bins." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

The education levels that wood working assemblers earn slightly differ from cabinet makers. In particular, wood working assemblers are 1.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a cabinet maker. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Cabinet maker vs. Woodworking bench carpenter

A career as a woodworking bench carpenter brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a cabinet maker. In fact, woodworking bench carpenters salary is $7,562 higher than the salary of cabinet makers per year.A few skills overlap for cabinet makers and woodworking bench carpenters. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "hand tools," "tape measure," and "table saws. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, cabinet maker responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "shop drawings," "cnc router," "power saws," and "cabinet shop." Meanwhile, a woodworking bench carpenter has duties that require skills in areas such as "drill presses," "construction projects," "custom cabinets," and "material inventory." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Average education levels between the two professions vary. Woodworking bench carpenters tend to reach similar levels of education than cabinet makers. In fact, they're 2.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Cabinet maker vs. Bench carpenter

On average scale, bench carpenters bring in higher salaries than cabinet makers. In fact, they earn a $6,948 higher salary per year.cabinet makers and bench carpenters both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "hand tools," "shop drawings," and "table saws," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, cabinet makers are more likely to have skills like "tape measure," "cnc router," "shop equipment," and "cabinet doors." But a bench carpenter is more likely to have skills like "cnc," "safety procedures," "cut material," and "custom cabinets."

Most bench carpenters achieve a similar degree level compared to cabinet makers. For example, they're 2.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Cabinet maker vs. Custom stock maker

Custom stock makers average a higher salary than the annual salary of cabinet makers. The difference is about $2,471 per year.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A cabinet maker uses "hand tools," "shop drawings," "tape measure," and "table saws." Custom stock makers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "customer service," "sales floor," "food preparation," and "quality customer service. "In general, custom stock makers hold similar degree levels compared to cabinet makers. Custom stock makers are 2.3% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Updated January 8, 2025

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse production and manufacturing jobs