Carpentry & Woodworking Careers

Framing, finish, cabinetmaker, custom woodworker — every carpenter path.

Carpentry covers framing the structures buildings rely on, finish work that shapes their interiors, cabinetmaking, and custom woodworking — each a distinct trade with its own apprenticeship and tooling.

6 careers in this collection

Compare carpentry paths by speciality, work setting, and pay structure. Most are entered through apprenticeship rather than a 4-year degree. Income scales with reputation, regional demand, and ability to run a crew or shop.

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Woodworker (Fine Furniture)

Build high-end custom furniture

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Carpenter

Build and repair structures from residential homes to commercial buildings

$56,350 median✨ Bright Outlook

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Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters

Cut, shape, and assemble wooden articles or set up and operate a variety of woodworking machines, such as power saws, jointers, and mortisers to surface, cut, or shape lumber or to fabricate parts for wood products.

$43,260 median

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Carpenter Helper

Help carpenters by performing duties requiring less skill.

$39,380 median

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Woodworking Machine Operator

Set up, operate, or tend woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, and wood nailing machines.

$38,260 median

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Woodworkers

All woodworkers not listed separately.

Median annual wage figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2023, for the occupation each career is classified under. Careers with no published federal figure show none.