Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
Description OES Code:89311
Cut, shape, and assemble wooden articles, such as store fixtures, office equipment, cabinets, and high grade furniture. Set up and operate variety of machines, such as power saws, jointers, mortisers, tenoners, molders, and shapers, to cut and shape parts from wood stock.

Wages, California
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $7.20
25th Percentile $7.84
50th Percentile $9.73
75th Percentile $13.34

Wages, San Joaquin County
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $8.06
25th Percentile $9.18
50th Percentile $10.97
75th Percentile $14.20

Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey

Hours & Benefits
The customary work week consists of five, eight-hour days. Under union contracts, Cabinetmakers enjoy a full complement of benefits.

Employment Trends, California
Employment 1998 10,300
Projected Employment 2008 12,100
Percent Change 1998-2008 17.5%
Separations 1998-2008 1,300

Employment Trends, San Joaquin County
Employment 1999 150
Projected Employment 2006 180
Percent Change 1999-2006 20%
Separations 1999-2006 10

Employment Trends by California County.

Working Conditions
Cabinet shops are generally clean and adequately lighted and ventilated. Some shops may not be heated. Workers are subject to the noise of woodworking machines and the presence of wood dust. The work demands continuous moderate physical activity, and usually entails some heavy lifting. Hazards include cuts from sharp tools and possible injury from themachines; but care and safety measures can keep these at a minimum.

Advancement
Qualified Cabinetmakers may become supervisors, estimators, or detailers. Detailers are drafters who break down cabinet and fixture drawings into their separate parts, specifying exact dimensions, types of joints, and methods of assembly. They must have shop experience in the trade, plus instruction in mathematics, physics, drafting, and the mechanical properties of wood. Estimators need sales ability as well as the ability to visualize and describe a proposed installation and figure its cost. Supervisors should know supervision techniques and something about the principles of management. Instruction in all these subjects is available at most local colleges and vocational centers. Finally, a Cabinetmaker may open a shop or join a partnership.

Getting the Job & Other Information
People interested in becoming Cabinetmakers should inquire in local shops and decide the type of training they wish to pursue. Candidates for apprenticeship should inquire at the California Employment Development Department or at the union. Experienced Cabinetmakers may also place applications with these two agencies, or with employers or private employment offices. Community colleges and private schools give their students placement assistance.

For a list of current job listing, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Education and Training
Entry into the trade of cabinet making is either through on-the-job training in a cabinet shop with or without prior training or through an apprenticeship. Applicants for apprenticeship are carefully screened, and high school graduates with credits in wood shop, drafting, physical science and mathematics are given preference. Apprenticeship applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or G.E.D. (general educational development) certification.

The Cabinetmaker apprenticeship program takes approximately four years to complete and includes job experience and night classes at adult vocational and education centers or community colleges.
In addition, there are certificate and associate of arts degree programs in Millwork and Cabinetmaking at Fresno, San Joaquin Delta, San Diego City, and Sierra Community Colleges.

Skills & Other Requirements
Among skills that are important for Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters are the ability to Apply Adhesives, Carpentry Techniques, Drafting Skills, Fabrication Techniques, Intermediate Technical Math, Machinist Practice, Quality Assurance Techniques, Technical Information, Woodworking Techniques, Assemble Wooden Components, Coordinate Production Materials & Processes, Estimate Materials For Production, Estimate Time Needed For Projects, Fit Dowels, Hand Tap Metal, Wood Or Other Material, Inspect Components During Manufacture, Lay Out Machining Projects, Woodworking Projects, Mix And Apply Protective Coatings To Products, Move And Lift Heavy Objects, Operate Buff/Polishing, Grinding, Hand And Power Woodworking Tools, Lathes, Precision Measuring Equipment, Shape/Forming Machines and Other Tools / Equipment, Read Blueprints/Technical Drawings, Production Layouts, Understand Operating Manuals, Recognize Wood Species & Characteristics, Select/Cut/Shape Material For Manufacturing With Wood Wood Cutting, Shaping / Boring Machines, Sort Raw Materials, Use Computer Aided Drafting Software, Use Metric System In Skilled Woodworking, and Use Surface Finishing Techniques.

References
California Occupational Guide #23

Related Occupations: Carpenters

Training: California Training and Education Providers (CTEP)