National
| Median wages (2008) |
$13.93 hourly, $28,980 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
149,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Slower than average (3% to 6%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
48,000 additional employees |
51-7011.00 - 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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Cabinet Maker, Cabinet Assembler, Frame Builder, Machine Operator, Cabinet Builder, Cabinet Installer, Cutter, Double End Tenon Operator, Framer, Router Operator
Tasks
- Produce and assemble components of articles such as store fixtures, office equipment, cabinets, and high-grade furniture.
- Verify dimensions, and check the quality and fit of pieces in order to ensure adherence to specifications.
- Set up and operate machines, including power saws, jointers, mortisers, tenoners, molders, and shapers, to cut, mold, and shape woodstock and wood substitutes.
- Measure and mark dimensions of parts on paper or lumber stock prior to cutting, following blueprints, to ensure a tight fit and quality product.
- Reinforce joints with nails or other fasteners to prepare articles for finishing.
- Attach parts and subassemblies together to form completed units, using glue, dowels, nails, screws, and/or clamps.
- Establish the specifications of articles to be constructed or repaired, and plan the methods and operations for shaping and assembling parts, based on blueprints, drawings, diagrams, or oral or written instructions.
- Cut timber to the right size and shape and trim parts of joints to ensure a snug fit, using hand tools such as planes, chisels, or wood files.
- Match materials for color, grain, and texture, giving attention to knots and other features of the wood.
- Trim, sand, and scrape surfaces and joints to prepare articles for finishing.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Hand clamps — Bar clamps; Cam clamps; Quick-release clamps; Wedge clamps |
| Planes — Block planes; Jointer planes; Smooth planes; Spindle shapers |
| Power routers — Panel routers; Plunge routers; Portable routers; Table routers |
| Power saws — Circular saws; Cutoff saws; Sliding panel saws; Sliding table saws |
| Wood chisels — Bowl gouges; Morticers; Skew chisels; Spokeshaves |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Computer aided design CAD software |
| Data base user interface and query software — Data entry software |
| Facilities management software — Computerized maintenance management system CMMS software |
| Project management software — Computer estimation software |
| Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel |
