7272-NOC

Cabinetmakers

(NOC 72311)
Annual Earnings
$51,097
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
College Diploma or Apprenticeship, 2 or more years
Job Openings
(2023-2033)
680

Career Overview

Cabinetmakers use a variety of woods, laminates and other materials to construct and repair cabinets, furniture, fixtures and related products. People in this career must be detail-oriented and have a good eye for colour and proportion. Also, cabinetmakers must be good with their hands to work with the tools to build cabinets.

Cabinetmakers are also known as joiners.

Duties

Cabinetmakers:

  • Study plans, specifications, drawings and blueprints
  • Estimate the amount, type and cost of materials needed
  • Select and combine materials for an attractive end-product
  • Mark outlines or dimensions for product parts on wood
  • Operate woodworking machines such as table saws, jointers, mortisers and shapers
  • Use hand tools to cut, shape and form parts
  • Machine joints and fit parts together to form a complete unit
  • Reinforce joints using glue, clamps, nails, screws and other fasteners
  • Apply veneers and sand wooden surfaces to prepare them for finishing
  • Install finished products on job sites

 

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$51,097

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$32.00/hr
Median$24.50/hr
Low$19.95/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2023 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

2,330

% Employed Full Time

60%
Source: 2021 Census

Cabinetmakers usually work indoors in workshops. They are employed by furniture manufacturing and repair companies, construction companies and cabinetmaking contractors. Some are self-employed.

The work is dusty and noisy. Because some wood-finishing products and glues contain dangerous chemicals and fumes, cabinetmakers must use safety equipment when applying them. They must also use care when lifting materials and using potentially dangerous machines such as saws, planers and lathes.

Career Pathways

Most cabinetmakers begin as apprentices or labourers. With experience or certification, they can become supervisors or start their own businesses.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Realistic
Realistic

Job Titles

Cabinetmaker
Cabinetmaker apprentice
Custom wood furniture maker
Furniture cabinetmaker

Education, Training and Skills

Most cabinetmaking jobs require a high school diploma.

Certification is not required to work as a cabinetmaker in B.C. Those who wish to be certified must complete a four-year apprenticeship program.

Apprenticeship programs

Work experience and in-class instruction are part of apprenticeship programs. Some part-time and online programs may be available. To apprentice, workers must be sponsored by an employer. A person who successfully completes an apprenticeship program and the final certification exam earns a Certificate of Qualification. Workers with significant experience in the trade may be able to challenge the certification exam to earn the Certificate of Qualification without completing a formal apprenticeship. For more information on earning a Certificate of Qualification, visit SkilledTradesBC.

To work in other provinces

Cabinetmakers may need Red Seal certification to work in other provinces. This can be earned by passing an exam and proving significant work experience.

Workers coming to B.C. 

Cabinetmakers who are certified by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information, such as a letter of good standing, references or a criminal record check.

Workers who trained outside of Canada

Cabinetmakers who trained outside of Canada and have never received certification from a Canadian jurisdiction will likely need a full assessment. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants. Contact SkilledTradesBC for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.

For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.

View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Fine Woodworking/Furniture Related
EducationPlannerBC Logo
Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Operations Monitoring

Watching gauges, dials or other indicators to make sure that a machine is working properly.

62%
Quality Control Analysis

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

59%
Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

53%
Operation and Control

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

53%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

50%
Time Management

Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

50%
Equipment Selection

Determining the kinds of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

50%
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

50%
Operations Analysis

Analyzing operational and product needs to create a design.

50%
Troubleshooting

Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

50%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

2,330
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 25 1.1%
Kootenay 60 2.6%
Mainland/Southwest 1,435 61.7%
North Coast and Nechako 25 1.1%
Northeast 10 0.4%
Thompson-Okanagan 330 14.2%
Vancouver Island/Coast 450 19.4%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)

680
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo Not available Not available
Kootenay 10 0.5%
Mainland/Southwest 450 0.1%
North Coast and Nechako 0 -0.7%
Northeast Not available Not available
Thompson-Okanagan 90 0.6%
Vancouver Island/Coast 130 0.2%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2023-2033)
Manufacturing410
Construction220
Professional, Scientific And Technical Services20
Educational Services10
Retail Trade10
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Insights from Industry

New technologies, such as computer-controlled equipment and computer-based systems for design, estimating and cost control, are increasing cabinetmakers’ productivity. So are new, more efficient methods, such as pre-manufactured cabinets that reduce the amount of required work.

As the use of computers increases, workers with computer skills have an advantage in finding jobs.

Most job openings result from retirements. Future demand for cabinetmakers depends on growth in the manufacturing industry and demand for new home construction and renovations.

Resources