Cabinet making can be a lucrative career for skilled woodworkers. Cabinet makers design, build, and install cabinetry, countertops, and other fixtures for residential and commercial settings. The average salary for cabinet makers can vary based on factors like location, experience, and type of employer. Here is an in-depth look at how much cabinet makers typically make per year.
Average Salary for Cabinet Makers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for cabinetmakers and bench carpenters in the United States as of May 2021 was $33,380. This equals an average hourly wage of about $16.05. The top 10% of earners made $55,630 or more per year.
However, salaries can vary significantly based on factors like:
- Location – Cabinet maker salaries tend to be higher in areas with a higher cost of living. Large metropolitan areas on the coasts tend to pay more.
- Experience – More years on the job generally lead to higher earning potential. Cabinetry skills improve over time, allowing for faster, higher-quality work.
- Type of employer – Working for a large cabinetry contracting company often pays more than smaller custom shops. Commercial work also tends to pay more than residential.
- Union membership – Many cabinet makers belong to the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. Union workers tend to earn 10-30% higher wages.
To get a better sense of expected salaries based on location and experience, here are some examples:
- Entry-level cabinet maker in Iowa – $25,000-$35,000
- 5 years experience in Texas – $35,000-$45,000
- 10 years experience in California – $50,000-$70,000
- Union cabinet maker in New York – $60,000-$80,000+
As you can see, annual salaries for accomplished cabinetry professionals can ultimately reach $70,000, $80,000, or even six figures with enough demand for their skills.
Factors That Affect Cabinet Maker Salaries
What determines how much an individual cabinet maker earns? Here are some of the key factors:
Skill Level and Experience
The most important factor is the amount of skill, experience, and expertise the cabinet maker has acquired. Trades like cabinetry take years to master. Income potential rises steadily over time as abilities improve. Customers are often willing to pay top dollar for seamless, high-end, and unique custom cabinetry work that only a true veteran can provide.
Speed and Efficiency
Faster cabinet makers can complete more billable jobs each week and month. Efficiency comes with experience as makers perfect their methods and workspace. Cabinet makers paid by the project (rather than hourly) have extra incentive to work quickly without sacrificing quality.
Type of Specialization
Some cabinet makers specialize in particular niches like kitchen cabinetry, built-ins, furniture, closets, entertainment centers, commercial store fixtures, counters, fine woodworking, CAD programming, installation, and more. Developing an in-demand specialty can boost income potential.
Business, Customer Service, and Management Skills
Cabinet makers who run their own shops also need strong business, customer service, project management, and financial skills. These contribute to retaining clients and keeping a steady stream of work.
Quality of Work
Builders and clients will pay top rates for artful, bespoke cabinetry work. Attention to detail in design, joinery, selection of materials, and flawless finishes is well compensated. Quality work leads to referrals and repeat business.
Reputation and Relationships
Over time, the best cabinet makers develop strong professional reputations and relationships with builders, interior designers, architects, and past clients. These networks continue funneling high-paying work to craftsmen with proven skills.
How Cabinet Makers Are Paid: Salary vs Hourly
There are two main ways cabinet makers get paid:
Salary
Some cabinet makers work directly for a shop or company and earn an annual salary. Salaried compensation provides reliable consistency in income. Salaries typically range from $35,000 to $60,000 based on position, experience, and location. Benefits like health insurance may be included. Salary workers generally work full-time regular hours.
Hourly
Many cabinet makers freelance and charge clients by the hour. Hourly pay offers more potential upside. Skilled cabinet makers can ultimately charge $50, $75, $100 per hour or more. Hourly earnings ebb and flow based on the number of billable hours worked each month, which can encourage taking on more jobs. No benefits are provided.
Cabinet makers early in their careers tend to start hourly until building up their abilities and client base. Some always prefer the freedom of working hourly. Salaried jobs tend to come with more stability and perks. Ultimately income potential is highest for those efficient makers who can charge high hourly rates and stay busy with continual work.
Factors That Affect Hourly Rates for Cabinet Makers
For cabinet makers charging hourly, rates are determined based on:
- Experience level – The more skilled the maker, the higher the rate they can justify. Expert craftsmen can charge $75-$100 per hour. Beginners may start around $25.
- Project complexity – Intricate custom cabinetry and fine furniture warrant much higher rates than simple carpentry. The required skill merits premium pricing.
- Location – Pricing often aligns with local average incomes. Hourly rates will be higher in expensive urban areas vs rural areas with lower cost of living.
- Shop expenses – Makers need to factor in shop rental, materials, tools, transportation, taxes, insurance, and other overhead costs when setting hourly rates.
- ** Rush orders** – Clients often pay extra for quick turnaround times that require overtime and rearranged schedules.
- Travel – Hourly workers may bill for time and mileage spent driving to job sites.
- Union status – Collective bargaining power enables union cabinet makers to command higher hourly rates.
Keep in mind that hourly workers don’t get paid for time off. No income is earned if no billable hours are logged. Successful cabinet makers must hustle to line up new jobs constantly so they have enough paid hours every week. Finding that balance between profitable rates and steady work is key.
How Much Do Self-Employed Cabinet Makers Make?
Many cabinet makers are self-employed and run their own small custom workshops. Income for self-employed cabinetry pros breaks down into a few categories:
Hourly billing rates – As outlined above, rates typically range from $25-$100+ per hour based on reputation and experience. Top earners can bill over $100 per hour for custom projects. Busy makers log 30-50 billable hours per week.
Project quotes – Alternately, entire projects may be quoted at a fixed price. Sufficient markup must be included to achieve desired profits. Quotes for a full kitchen may range $5,000-$30,000+.
Business revenue – Gross annual revenues for successful sole proprietor cabinet shops often total $200,000 to $800,000+. Deducting expenses, top earners can net well over $100,000 in take-home income after paying themselves a reasonable wage.
Owner’s draw – Shop owners take a set salary or “draw” to cover living expenses. This may start around $50,000-$80,000 for newcomers. High-earning veteran owners pay themselves $100,000+.
So in summary, talented self-employed cabinetry shop owners can comfortably net six figures in income after some years in business as their reputation and expertise allow commanding top dollar for time and projects.
How Cabinet Maker Income Compares to Other Woodworking Fields
Cabinet maker salaries are comparable to related woodworking occupations:
- Furniture makers – $33,590 median salary
- Woodworking machine setters – $30,880
- Sawing machine setters – $30,700
- Woodworkers, all other – $33,140
- Carpenter helpers – $30,890
- Construction carpenters – $48,330
The top 10% of carpenters earn $83,140 or more annually, showing the high income ceiling for skilled tradesmen in construction. Cabinet makers with similar expertise in finish carpentry can earn comparable top salaries. Location and cost of living also affect these averages significantly.
Income Potential for Cabinet Makers Over Time
Here is a look at how earnings tend to progress over a long cabinetmaking career:
- Apprentice – $15-$25 per hour. Works under supervision to develop skills.
- Entry-level cabinet maker – $25-$35 per hour or $35,000-$50,000 salary. 1-3 years experience. Still gaining proficiency.
- Intermediate cabinet maker – $30-$50 per hour or $40,000-$60,000 salary. 4-8 years experience. Comfortable with most cabinetry work.
- Custom cabinet maker – $50-$75 per hour or $60,000-$85,000 salary. 8+ years experience. Highly skilled at specialized cabinetry. Works independently.
- Master cabinet maker – $75-$125+ per hour or $75,000-$150,000+ salary. 10+ years experience. Reputation for premium quality custom work. Leads projects. May own shop.
With dedication to mastering the craft, cabinet makers can grow their skills and incomes substantially over a career. In addition to making a good living, the most successful cabinet makers also take great pride in creating beautiful high-end fixtures that add value and enjoyment to spaces.
How Much Do Cabinet Makers Make: Key Takeaways
- Median annual salary for cabinet makers is $33,380, but top earners make $55,000+
- Experience, skills, location and employer affect incomes significantly
- Hourly billing offers highest earning potential for the busiest craftsmen
- Self-employed cabinet makers can comfortably net 6 figures after building their businesses
- Incomes progress from $30s-$40s for beginners to $70s-$100s for masters
- Cabinetry skills are well compensated but take years of practice to truly master
In summary, cabinet making can become quite a lucrative trade with dedication to building expertise in high-end custom woodworking and running an efficient business. Passionate makers who continually expand and refine their abilities can attain satisfying and comfortable incomes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cabinet Maker Salaries
How much do entry-level cabinet makers make per hour?
Entry-level cabinet makers can expect to earn $15-$25 per hour on average. Apprentices with no prior professional experience often start around $15/hour. After 1-2 years on the job, pay typically increases to $20-$25 per hour.
What skills help cabinet makers earn more?
The most lucrative skills for cabinet makers are precision craftsmanship, creativity in design, project management abilities, efficiency, woodworking mastery, and expertise with materials like hardwoods and veneers. Developing a specialization also boosts earning potential.
Do cabinet makers get benefits?
Salaried cabinet makers often receive benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, paid vacation and holidays. Hourly workers must provide their own benefits. Some contract positions qualify for benefits after a probation period. Self-employed makers buy their own insurance plans.
Is cabinet making a good career?
Cabinet making can be a great career choice for those who enjoy detailed woodworking and bringing creative designs to life with their hands. It provides the satisfaction of producing high-quality finished products. Income potential rises over time as skills improve.
How long does it take to become a cabinet maker?
Most apprenticeships and training programs take 2-4 years to gain the skills needed to work as a cabinet maker. Learning the trade through a formal program accelerates the process. Several more years of professional experience are needed to become truly proficient.
Do cabinet makers work weekends?
Most cabinet shops keep weekday business hours, but self-employed makers often work weekends to complete projects on schedule. Weekend installs are common to avoid disrupting businesses and homeowners during working hours. Rush orders may also require weekend work.
Can cabinet makers earn six figures?
The most successful cabinet makers who run their own profitable shops with steady business can comfortably earn 6 figures in take-home income after some years in operation. They earn this through high hourly rates and efficient completion of numerous custom projects.
Is cabinet making dangerous?
Like any job working with power tools and heavy materials, cabinet making does pose some occupational hazards. Risks include lacerations, airborne sawdust, muscle strains, and noise exposure. Proper protective gear and shop safety practices reduce these risks.
Are cabinet maker salaries going up?
The employment rate for cabinet makers is projected to grow 4% from 2021 to 2031, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Demand for skilled tradespeople remains strong. Cabinet makers with top skills should see salaries rise with some annual increases to keep pace with inflation and cost of living.
Conclusion
Cabinet makers can earn respectable livings that support comfortable middle-class lifestyles. Their income potential rises steadily over the course of their careers as they gain mastery in high-demand skills like custom cabinet building, fine woodworking, CAD programming, installation, project management, and operating a profitable workshop.
With dedication to perfecting their craft, the top cabinet makers are able to charge premium rates and maintain long-term success in the field. Passion for the work is an important driver as well. While salary ranges reveal the monetary potential in cabinetry, many makers pursue the career out of a love for working with wood and delighting clients.
The most ambitious cabinet professionals let their creativity, business savvy, and reputation for quality drive them to incomes in the six figures. But all cabinet makers have the opportunity to earn solid paychecks in a skilled trade that will always be in demand. With patience and practice, this career offers promising security and earnings over the long run.