Michigan Occupational Information System
#115 - CABINETMAKER  

Cabinetmakers use woodworking machines and hand tools to cut, trim, and fit together wooden articles such as cabinets, furniture, display tables, counters, shelves, or other fixtures.  

NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION  

Cabinetmakers may:

Study blueprints, drawings, or written specifications  

Match materials for color, grain, and texture if repair is involved  

Mark outline or dimensions on paper or lumber stock  

Set up and operate woodworking machines to cut and shape parts from stock  

Use hand tools to trim and smooth parts or joints to make them fit  

Bore holes for screws or dowels  

Fit, glue and clamp parts together  

Use nails or other fasteners to reinforce joints  

Sand and scrape surfaces and joints to prepare them for finishing  

Coat with stain, varnish, paint, lacquer, or formica  

Install hardware such as hinges, catches, or drawer pulls  

Tools, equipment, and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES  

Cabinetmakers may specialize in these areas:

660.280-010 CABINETMAKERS construct and repair high-grade wooden articles such as cabinets, fine furniture, display tables, counters, shelves, or other fixtures and equipment located in stores, homes, or other buildings.

660.280-010 MAINTENANCE CABINETMAKERS specialize in the repair of furniture, equipment, and fixtures.

660.280-010 REFRIGERATOR CABINETMAKERS cut, shape, and assemble wooden parts to construct frames for refrigeration equipment, such as walk-in coolers and display cases.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:  

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS  

Cabinetmakers may work alone, or with other workers. They may be supervised or supervise others.  

Cabinetmaking is usually done indoors. Working conditions may vary according to the size and location of the employer and whether the work is done in a factory, cabinet shop, or in various places outside a shop. Most factories are well lighted and ventilated. However, noise and vibration of machinery are usually part of the work environment. Sawdust and finishing pollutants may irritate the eyes and lungs unless corrective measures are used. By using care and proper safety devices, personal injuries resulting from sharp tools and high speed machinery are minimized.  

Cabinetmakers usually work 35 to 40 hours per week. Overtime may be available. Depending on the employer, some jobs may require out-of-town travel.  

Cabinetmakers may be required to purchase their own hand tools and to provide their own transportation to carry tools, equipment, and supplies. These hand tools cost a minimum of $250.  

Many Cabinetmakers are members of unions such as The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. Those who belong to unions pay dues.  

You Should Prefer:

• Working with your hands using tools and machinery  

• Seeing the physical results of your work  

You Should Be Able To:

• Work skillfully with tools and wood  

• Picture three-dimensional objects from drawings  

• Recognize slight differences in shapes or shadings in objects  

• Work basic math problems accurately  

• Pay attention to detail and achieve standards of quality  

• Adjust to a variety of different tasks  

• Rate information using personal judgment and measurable standards  

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If a wall space is 57" wide, and the cabinet arrangement must be symmetrical, what is the fewest number of cabinets that you can install in that space, and how many size combinations are there? Assume that the narrowest cabinet is 12", the widest 33", and all sizes on a 3" module between those extremes are available.  

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Should be able to read and comprehend cabinet terminology.  

For example, toe kick, vertical stiffener, base, frame, lipped front, flush front, splash  

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare a written estimate for a customer interested in having cabinets made.  

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Excellent analytical skill in studying blueprints and other work specifications.  

You may be required to pass a physical exam for acceptance into an apprenticeship. The State of Michigan requires a license for this occupation.  Click here for "Michigan Licensed Occupations," see Residential Maintenance and Alteration Contractor for specific licensing information.  

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES  

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma with specific Vocational Education Classes or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school) or an Apprenticeship (usually three to four years of training beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:  

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0200 ART , 0500 BUILDING TRADES , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1600 FOREIGN LANGUAGE , 1700 GOVERNMENT , 2200 MATH , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY , 3400 WOODS

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

053 WOODWORKING & FURNITURE MAKING

Approved vocational education programs in Woodworking and Furniture making prepare students to lay out and shape wood stock; assemble wooden articles; mark, bind, saw, carve, and sand wooden products; repair wooden articles; and use a variety of hand and power tools.  

The following courses may be required for completion of this program:

FURNITURE MAKING  

MILLWORK & CABINET BUILDING  

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.  

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

035 CONSTRUCTION & BUILDING TECHNOLOGY

Construction and Building Technology programs provide opportunities to gain the needed knowledge and skills for employment in the many different types of construction and building jobs. Individuals who teach Construction and Building Technology at the secondary school level must have a Michigan Teaching Certificate.  

Courses within this program will vary but may include:

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

011 CABINETMAKER

Most people enter occupations within this MOIScript through an apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship program is a formal program that takes 3 - 5 years to complete with most of the time spent on the job.  

WHAT IS LEARNED ON THE JOB

WHAT IS LEARNED IN THE CLASSROOM

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript    

E-Learning Courses and Programs    

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY  

Persons may gain experience in this occupation through part-time jobs or summer work with Cabinetmakers. Experience is also available through a formal apprenticeship program. Secondary vocational education programs in woodworking and furniture making and postsecondary programs in construction and building technology may offer a co-op portion through which experience may be gained.  

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships  

mentorships  

job shadowing experiences  

touring a local Cabinetmaker employer  

internships  

volunteer work with a Cabinetmaker employer  

community service work with an agency  

Most Cabinetmakers get their jobs through direct application to employers or completion of an apprenticeship program. Assistance may be obtained from school placement offices, unions, newspaper want ads, and apprenticeship information specialists at local Michigan Works! offices. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:  

Michigan Talent Bank ( http://www.michworks.org/mtb/user/MTB_EMPL.EntryMainPage )  

Classifieds Employment ( http://www.classifieds2000.com )  

            Yahoo! Careers ( http://careers.yahoo.com/ )  

Michigan Department of Career Development  ( http://www.michigan.gov/mdcd )  

Michigan Works! ( http://www.michiganworks.org/ )  

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT  

Earnings may depend on geographic area, employer size, the individual's skills, union affiliation, and specific duties performed.  

Nationally, most Cabinetmakers had wages ranging from $7.50 to $18.75 per hour in 2001. Production Cabinetmakers (wood kitchen cabinets) earned an average hourly wage of $12.23 in late 2001.  The median hourly earnings of  "all" workers in the U.S. were $14.92 in 2001.  

The estimated average hourly wages of Cabinetmakers in the Grand Rapids furniture industry were (late 2001):  

Basic hourly union pay ranges in the Detroit metropolitan area (2002) were approximately $22.58 for custom Cabinetmakers and about $18.41 for production Cabinetmakers.  

The 2000 Graduates of high school vocational education programs in Michigan working in jobs related to this occupation earned an estimated beginning average of $10.63 an hour in 2001.  

Apprentice Cabinetmakers earn 45%-79% of a journey worker's rate. Some Cabinetmakers may also receive a cost-of-living allowance.  

Depending on the employer, benefits may include vacation and holidays; life, accident and hospitalization insurance; and retirement benefits. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer. In some cases, employers and employees jointly contribute to union trust funds used to pay for certain benefits.  

Most Cabinetmakers start by completing an apprenticeship program. Experienced Cabinetmakers may advance to a supervisor's position. A career ladder may be: trainee or apprentice; Cabinetmaker; supervisor; shop superintendent; contractor (own business). Cabinetmakers may also advance to inspectors, estimators, or detailers. Advancement is based on training, experience, and ability.  

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK  

Nationally, about 139,100 Cabinetmakers were employed in 2000. Employment of Cabinetmakers is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2010. About 11.4% of them were self-employed. The industry distribution for Cabinetmakers looked like this:  

Several factors may limit the growth of Cabinetmaking occupations in coming years. Technological advances, such as robots and computerized numerical control machinery, will prevent employment from rising as fast as the demand for cabinetry, particularly in the manufacturing plants where many of the processes can be automated. In addition, some jobs will be lost in the United States as imports continue to grow and as U.S. firms move production to other countries. Finally, the demand for wood may be reduced somewhat as materials such as metal, plastic, and fiberglass continue to be used as alternatives to wood in many products. Some openings are expected each year as Cabinetmakers retire, die, or transfer to other lines of work.    

There are about 1,900 cabinetmakers employed in Michigan. Many worked in the manufacturing industry for firms that make furniture or prefabricated units and fixtures. Others worked for construction companies, retail stores, wholesale firms, or furniture repair shops.  

Little or no change is expected in the employment of Cabinetmakers in Michigan through the year 2008. There will be an average of 20 annual openings with all due to replacement of workers who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers transfer to other lines of work. In recent years there have been few individuals who have completed the apprenticeship program for Cabinetmakers in Michigan.  

Higher personal incomes, along with increased demand for custom cabinetry made from real wood, should create a demand for more products that Cabinetmakers produce. However, increased mechanization and division of labor in industries, such as furniture, mobile homes, and piano making, may limit the growth of skilled Cabinetmakers.    

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2008    

  EMPLOYMENT                  NUMBER        PERCENT    PROJECTED YEARLY  

  REGION                              EMPLOYED   GROWTH    JOB OPENINGS    

  Ann Arbor Area                      80                    6.2                2  

  Battle Creek Area                  110                  -3.7                1  

  Benton Harbor Area               205                 -8.9                2  

  Central Michigan                     25                    3.8                0  

  Detroit MSA                           670                   6.1               12  

  East Central Michigan              25                 -28.0                0  

  Flint Area                                55                    5.7                1  

  Grand Rapids Area                 300                 -9.3                3  

  Jackson Area                          100                   8.1               2  

  Kalamazoo Area                     160                 -11.8              2  

  Lansing MSA                           40                   12.5              1  

  Muskegon Area                       80                   10.1              2  

  Northeast Lower Peninsula      20                   -15.0             0  

  Northwest Lower Peninsula     55                    12.3             2  

  Saginaw MSA                       125                    33.3             5  

  Thumb Area                            45                      2.3             0  

  Upper Peninsula                      65                   -13.4             1  

  West Central Michigan            20                     -4.5             0    

MSA designates a Metropolitan Statistical Area  

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from sources below.

SUMMARY PROFILE  

The occupation of Cabinetmaker can be summarized by the following:

Copyright © 2003 Michigan Department of Career Development