What Woodworkers Do

Woodworkers manufacture a variety of products such as cabinets and furniture, using wood, veneers, and laminates. They often combine and incorporate different materials into wood.

Work Environment

Although working conditions vary from plant to plant, some woodworkers may encounter machinery noise and wood dust. Others work in modern plants with good lighting, active dust control, and sound deadening enclosures. Woodworkers have a higher rate of injuries and illnesses than the national average.

How to Become a Woodworker

A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required to become a woodworker. Although some entry-level jobs can be learned in less than 1 year, becoming fully proficient generally takes at least 3 years of on-the-job training. The ability to use computer-controlled machinery is becoming increasingly important.

Job Outlook

Employment of woodworkers is projected to show little or no change from 2014 to 2024. Those who have advanced skills, including the ability to use computer-controlled machinery, should have the best job opportunities in manufacturing industries.

Growth & Trends

This occupation supported 202,700 jobs in 2012 and 237,299 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 17.1%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 7.7% in 2022 to 218,399 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 205,800, compared with an observed value of 237,299, 15.3% higher than expected. This indicates current employment trends are much better than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to decrease by 0.7% in 2024 to 235,900 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 221,500 jobs for 2024, 6.1% lower than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are much better than the 2012 trend within this occupation.

Woodworkers Employment and Labor Information 2023

Woodworkers Employment Brief:

All woodworkers not listed separately.

Woodworkers Job Description

Here is a Job Description an employer might post for potential Woodworkers.

Woodworkers Responsibilities and Duties:

Typical Daily Tasks of Woodworkers:

Woodworkers Skills and Requirements:

• Learning Strategies Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
• Installation Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
• Science Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
• Instructing Teaching others how to do something.
• Programming Writing computer programs for various purposes.
• Equipment Maintenance Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Mathematics Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Operations Analysis Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
• Equipment Selection Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
• Writing Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Woodworkers Education and Training:

Typical education for include: High school diploma or equivalent.

Woodworkers, All Other Salary, Wages, and Salary and Job Outlook

Woodworkers, All Other average pay is: $35370 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employees who work in NAare the highest paid making $27.32, while Employment Services make the least at $15.43 per hour.Here are the top city/metro areas with the highest paying salaries for a Woodworkers, All Other: