How to hire a woodworker

How to hire a woodworker, step by step

Here's a step-by-step woodworker hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a woodworker job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new woodworker
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a woodworker do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a woodworker, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A woodworker's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, woodworkers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of woodworkers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Woodworker	Description	Hourly rate
   Woodworker		$11-51
   Tanker	A tanker is a ship embroidered to transport oil from one place to another. There are varieties of tankers like a chemical tanker, gas tanker, oil tanker, etc., and the driver is responsible for the delivery of the shipment... Show more	$11-51

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Hand Tools
   • Table Saws
   • Tape Measure
   • Pallets
   • CNC
   • Routers
   • Shop Drawings
   • Drill Press
   • Customer Orders
   • Nail Guns
   • Planers
   • Band Saws
   • Custom Furniture
   • Cabinet Doors

   Check all skills

   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.

   More woodworker duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your woodworker job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A woodworker salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a woodworker in Colorado may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level woodworker usually earns less than a senior-level woodworker. Additionally, a woodworker with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average woodworker salary

   $51,598yearly

   $24.81 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level woodworker salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

   Average woodworker salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Massachusetts	$60,853	$29
   2	District of Columbia	$60,393	$29
   3	Illinois	$58,181	$28
   4	Pennsylvania	$57,400	$28
   5	Michigan	$56,004	$27
   6	Nevada	$54,652	$26
   7	Iowa	$53,769	$26
   8	Wisconsin	$53,357	$26
   9	Washington	$53,191	$26
   10	Louisiana	$49,808	$24
   11	New York	$49,248	$24
   12	Minnesota	$48,030	$23
   13	Florida	$47,337	$23
   14	Kentucky	$46,666	$22
   15	Arizona	$45,276	$22
   16	Tennessee	$45,251	$22
   17	South Dakota	$44,801	$22
   18	Nebraska	$43,547	$21
   19	Colorado	$40,947	$20

   Average woodworker salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Armstrong World Industries	$67,678	$32.54
   2	A-dec	$65,260	$31.38
   3	VSR Industries	$64,498	$31.01	2
   4	VisionCorp Rep	$64,248	$30.89
   5	United States Courts	$59,319	$28.52
   6	Greek Orthodox Church Of The Holy Trinity	$51,842	$24.92
   7	US LBM	$51,842	$24.92
   8	Novo Building Products	$50,490	$24.27
   9	Moseley Technical Services	$49,353	$23.73
   10	LDV	$49,353	$23.73	1
   11	Tradesmen International	$47,516	$22.84
   12	Transwest	$47,445	$22.81
   13	Closet Factory	$46,700	$22.45	2
   14	Americorps	$45,153	$21.71
   15	CORT	$43,156	$20.75
   16	Rockford Construction	$40,761	$19.60
   17	Workbox Staffing	$32,400	$15.58	1
   18	ManpowerGroup	$31,909	$15.34
   19	Parr Lumber	$31,872	$15.32
   20	Kelly Services	$31,785	$15.28

4. Writing a woodworker job description

   A good woodworker job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a woodworker job description:

   Woodworker job description example

   This position earns a competitive wage of $17.00 to $24.00 per hour , depending on experience. We provide great benefits , including health, dental, paid time off (PTO), a 401(k), flexible work schedules, and bonus opportunities . If this sounds like the right woodworking opportunity for you, apply today!

   ABOUT JBI INTERIORS COMPANY

   Our commercial interior manufacturing company began in 1969 when our founder created his first restaurant interior. Today, we manufacture a variety of interiors including architectural millwork, upholstery, and metal, for a wide range of clients such as restaurants, hospitals, and schools. We have been prioritizing customer satisfaction since the very beginning, and it shows through the strong, lasting partnerships we've made over the decades. Our goal is to continuously think of fresh, innovative ideas that improve our systems and create better experiences for our clients.

   Our success comes from building a strong, capable team of dedicated employees that feel trusted and valued. We provide an open, collaborative work environment where team members can share ideas and learn from each other. When you work for us, you also enjoy competitive compensation and generous benefits . Join us in creating appealing interiors that people will remember!

   A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A WOODWORKER / CUSTOM CABINETMAKER

   As a Woodworker / Custom Cabinetmaker, you use your keen eye to build beautiful and functional cabinetry for our commercial clients. You are familiar with the variety of different glues and cements we use and each of their individual drying times, making it easy for you to manage project timing. Carefully following blueprints and the appropriate measurements, you operate the table saw, chop saw, dado machine, screw gun, staple gun, and other equipment and woodworking tools. Your knowledge about wood species, grain-matching, and 3from composites means that every cabinet you finish is durable and looks fantastic.

   You take pride in your woodworking and stick closely to our company's quality control procedures and processes for building cabinetry. Each day, you find it rewarding to work with your hands and get great satisfaction out of seeing the results of your efforts in real-time!

   QUALIFICATIONS FOR A WOODWORKER / CUSTOM CABINETMAKER

   • Ability to lift up to 100 lbs., bend, stoop, and stand on your feet for long periods of time
   • Ability to work in small places (cabinet interiors) and in the non-climate-controlled warehouse

   Are you passionate about quality control? Do you have a meticulous eye for detail? Are you capable of reading and following complex blueprints and drawings? Can you manage your time well and effectively prioritize tasks? If yes, you might just be perfect for this Woodworker / Custom Cabinetmaker position!

   ARE YOU READY TO JOIN OUR TEAM?

   If you like the idea of using your woodworking skills to build cabinetry with us as a Woodworker / Custom Cabinetmaker, please fill out our initial 3-minute, mobile-friendly application . We look forward to meeting you!

   Location: 85009

   
   
   Job Posted by ApplicantPro
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right woodworker for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your woodworker job on Zippia to find and recruit woodworker candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit woodworkers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new woodworker

   Once you have selected a candidate for the woodworker position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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