Median hourly earnings of cabinetmakers and bench carpenters were $11.54 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $9.26 and $14.66. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $7.70, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $18.11. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of cabinetmakers and bench carpenters in 2002 are shown below:
| Office furniture (including fixtures) manufacturing | $13.02 |
| Household and institutional furniture and kitchen cabinet manufacturing | 11.19 |
| Other wood product manufacturing | 11.14 |
Median hourly earnings of sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood were $10.62 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $8.70 and $13.11. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $7.36, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $15.94. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood in 2002 are shown below:
| Sawmills and wood preservation | $11.59 |
| Veneer, plywood, and engineered wood product manufacturing | 10.91 |
| Household and institutional furniture and kitchen cabinet manufacturing | 10.40 |
| Other wood product manufacturing | 10.06 |
Median hourly earnings of woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing were $10.59 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $8.72 and $13.03. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $7.39, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $15.93. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing in 2002 are shown below:
| Office furniture (including fixtures) manufacturing | $11.00 |
| Sawmills and wood preservation | 10.99 |
| Veneer, plywood, and engineered wood product manufacturing | 10.99 |
| Household and institutional furniture and kitchen cabinet manufacturing | 10.54 |
| Other wood product manufacturing | 10.26 |
In 2002, median hourly earnings were $10.92 for furniture finishers and $10.11 for all other woodworkers.
Some woodworkers, such as those in logging or sawmills who are engaged in processing primary wood and building materials, are members of the International Association of Machinists. Others belong to the United Brotherhood of carpenters and Joiners of America.
Despite the development of sophisticated plastics and other materials, the demand for wood products continues unabated. Helping to meet this demand are woodworkers. Woodworkers are found in industries that produce wood, such as sawmills and plywood mills; in industries that use wood to produce furniture, kitchen cabinets, musical instruments, and other fabricated wood products; or in small shops that make architectural woodwork, furniture, and many other specialty items.
All woodworkers are employed at some stage of the process through which logs of wood are transformed into finished products. Some of these workers produce the structural elements of buildings; others mill hardwood and softwood lumber; still others assemble finished wood products. They operate machines that cut, shape, assemble, and finish raw wood to make the doors, windows, cabinets, trusses, plywood, flooring, paneling, molding, and trim that are components of most homes. Others may fashion home accessories, such as beds, sofas, tables, dressers, and chairs. In addition to these household goods, woodworkers also make sporting goods, including baseball bats and oars, as well as musical instruments, toys, caskets, tool handles, and thousands of other wooden items.
Production woodworkers set up, operate, and tend woodworking machines such as power saws, planers, sanders, lathes, jointers, and routers that cut and shape components from lumber, plywood, and other wood products. In sawmills, sawing machine operators and tenders set up, operate, or tend wood sawing machines that cut logs into planks, timbers, or boards. In plants manufacturing wood products, woodworkers first determine the best method of shaping and assembling parts, working from blueprints, supervisors' instructions, or shop drawings that woodworkers themselves produce. Before cutting, they often must measure and mark the materials. They verify dimensions and may trim parts using handtools such as planes, chisels, wood files, or sanders to ensure a tight fit. Woodworking machine operators and tenders set up, operate, or tend specific woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, and wood-nailing machines. Lower skilled operators may merely press a switch on a woodworking machine and monitor the automatic operation, whereas more highly skilled operators set up equipment, cut and shape wooden parts, and verify dimensions using a template, caliper, or rule.
The next step in the manufacturing process is the production of subassemblies using fasteners and adhesives. Next, the pieces are brought together to form a complete unit. The product is then finish-sanded, stained, and, if necessary, coated with a sealer, such as lacquer or varnish. Woodworkers may perform this work in teams or be assisted by a helper.
Woodworkers have been greatly affected by the introduction of computer-controlled machinery. This technology has raised worker productivity by allowing one operator to simultaneously tend a greater number of machines. With computerized numerical controls (CNC), an operator can program a machine to perform a sequence of operations automatically, resulting in greater precision and reliability. The integration of computers with equipment has improved production speeds and capabilities, simplified setup and maintenance requirements, and increased the demand for workers with computer skills.
While this costly equipment has had a great impact on workers in the largest, most efficient firms, precision or custom woodworkers—who generally work in smaller firms—have continued to employ the same production techniques they have used for many years. Workers such as cabinetmakers and bench carpenters; model makers and patternmakers; and furniture finishers work on a customized basis, often building one-of-a-kind items. These highly skilled precision woodworkers usually perform a complete cycle of tasks—cutting, shaping, and preparing surfaces, and assembling prepared parts of complex wood components into a finished wood product. For this reason, these workers normally need substantial training and an ability to work from detailed instructions and specifications. In addition, they often are required to exercise independent judgment when undertaking an assignment.
Employment of woodworkers is expected to grow more slowly than average through the year 2012. Little or no growth is expected among woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders. Employment of cabinetmakers and bench carpenters and furniture finishers is expected to grow more slowly than average and employment of model makers and patternmakers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations. Job openings also will arise each year because of the need to replace experienced woodworkers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force.
Demand for woodworkers will stem from increases in population, personal income, and business expenditures, in addition to the continuing need for repair and renovation of residential and commercial properties. Therefore, opportunities should be available for woodworkers who specialize in such items as moldings, cabinets, stairs, and windows. Due to increasingly automated manufacturing processes, job prospects will be best for highly skilled woodworkers with knowledge of computerized numerical control machine tool operation.
Several factors may limit the growth of woodworking occupations. Technological advances, such as robots and CNC machinery, will continue to increase productivity among woodworkers, preventing employment from rising as fast as the demand for wood products, particularly in the mills and manufacturing plants where many processes can be automated. In addition, more jobs in the United States will be lost as imports continue to grow and as U.S. firms move some production to other countries. Also, the demand for wood may be reduced somewhat, as materials such as metal, plastic, and fiberglass continue to be used in many products as alternatives to wood. Environmental measures designed to control various pollutants used in, or generated by, woodworking processes also may adversely impact employment.
Employment in all woodworking specialties is highly sensitive to economic cycles. During economic downturns, workers are subject to layoffs or reductions in hours.
.Most woodworkers are trained on the job, picking up skills informally from experienced workers. Most woodworkers learn basic machine operations and job tasks in a few months, but becoming a skilled woodworker often requires 2 or more years.
Some woodworkers acquire skills through vocational education or by working as carpenters on construction jobs. Others may attend colleges or universities that offer training in areas including wood technology, furniture manufacturing, wood engineering, and production management. These programs prepare students for positions in production, supervision, engineering, and management.
Beginners usually observe and help experienced machine operators. They may supply material to, or remove fabricated products from, machines. Trainees also do simple machine operating jobs, while at first closely supervised by experienced workers. As beginners gain experience, they perform more complex jobs with less supervision. Some may learn to read blueprints, set up machines, and plan the sequence of the work. Employers increasingly seek applicants with a high school diploma or the equivalent, because of the growing sophistication of machinery and the constant need for retraining. Persons seeking woodworking jobs can enhance their employment and advancement prospects by completing high school and receiving training in mathematics, science, and computer applications. Other important qualities for entrants in this occupation include mechanical ability, manual dexterity, and the ability to pay attention to detail.
Advancement opportunities often are limited and depend upon availability, seniority, and a worker's skills and initiative. Sometimes experienced woodworkers become inspectors or supervisors responsible for the work of a group of woodworkers. Production workers often can advance into these positions by assuming additional responsibilities and by attending workshops, seminars, or college programs. Those who are highly skilled may set up their own woodworking shops.
.Carpenters also work with wood. In addition, many woodworkers follow blueprints and drawings and use machines to shape and form raw wood into a final product. Workers who perform similar functions working with other materials include sheet metal workers, structural and reinforcing iron and metal workers, computer-control programmers and operators, machinists, and tool and die makers.
For information about woodworking occupations, contact local furniture manufacturers, sawmills and planing mills, cabinetmaking or millwork firms, lumber dealers, a local of one of the unions mentioned above, or the nearest office of the State employment service.
Buyers and sellers of used woodworking equipment can also purchase or advertise used equipment through our referral service, TMS Machinery Sales. TMS Machinery Sales will screen all inquiries and refer only qualified buyers to the sellers. This service will eliminate the need for sellers to manage their own equipment and simplify the update process. Our monthly printed circulation includes over 26,000 qualified recipients throughout the woodworking industry. ,lumber sorters and stackers,chain conveyors,vibrating conveyors,belt conveyors,roll case conveyors,loaders forklifts,cranes,hoists,trucks and trailers,dry kilns,plywood/veneer,pallet, elect.
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They also cut and shape furniture, sporting goods, toys, and other wood items. Most operators run one type of machine. Finally, they mark the inspected work piece and stack it on a pallet or conveyor. They like to be treated fairly and have supervisors who will back them up. Those who set up the machines earn slightly higher wages than those who operate them.
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The craftsman uses woodworking tools to shape the wood. Today, woodworking is a popular hobby and an important industry. The tools needed can be purchased at hardware and department stores. The Old Maze is the one from last month which has the answers highlighted to the end. Both mazes have over a hundred - - or are there two hundred questions.
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Clear Lake Lumber CNC Auto-Motion CNE Machinery CNT Motion Systems Coastal Floors Colonial Saw Conrad's Machine Company 3M Corporation Abrasive Resource Accu-Router, Inc. June 9th - Announcement Hone Your Search at WOODWEB's Knowledge Base We've just added a Micro-Search feature to each category of our Knowledge Base. June 4th - Announcement New and Improved Job Opportunities Exchange It's now easier than ever to find employees and employers. May 28th - Knowledge Base Article Winning Bids Without Losing Your Butt This installer is fed up with his own methods of estimating. Participants at the Cabinetmaking Forum are brainstorming ways to construct these drawer-stools so they're strong and safe.
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high-quality, innovative tools for woodworkers and cabinet makers everywhere. February 24, 2005 .
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Employment of woodworkers is expected to grow more slowly than average through the year 2012. Little or no growth is expected among woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders. They operate machines that cut, shape, assemble, and finish raw wood to make the doors, windows, cabinets, trusses, plywood, flooring, paneling, molding, and trim that are components of most homes. Others may fashion home accessories, such as beds, sofas, tables, dressers, and chairs. Workers in these industries also may encounter excessive noise, dust, and other air pollutants.
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