Cabinetmakers use a variety of woods and laminates to construct and repair wooden cabinets, furniture, fixtures and related products.
People in this occupation:
Source: Estimated median employment income based on 2021 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))
Note:Estimated median employment income based on 2021 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))
Source: 2021 Job Bank Wage Report
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook
10 year expected job openings: 380
N/A - Data not available
Cabinetmakers:
Cabinetmakers work indoors, usually in a shop environment. This occupation requires workers to lift and move materials (usually wood) and use hand and power tools. Workers should also have a good eye for selecting and putting together materials for a visually pleasing end-product.
Workers are exposed to dust, noise and odours that come from working with wood. Some wood finishing products and glues can contain dangerous chemicals and fumes. Workers must use safety equipment and follow safety procedures when applying these finishes and glues. Safety procedures must also be followed when using potentially dangerous machines, such as saws, planers and lathes.
Source: 2016 Census
Completion of secondary school is usually required. Completion of a four-year apprenticeship program (or a combination of more than four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses)is required for trade certification, although it is not required to work as a cabinetmaker in B.C. Apprenticeship programs:
For more information please see the Industry Training Authority website at www.itabc.ca.
Interprovincial trade certification, Red Seal certification, is available to qualified floor cabinet makers through the Industry Training Authority.
Workers with 9,720 hours of documented directly related work experience can challenge the Inter-Provincial Red Seal examination.
For more information about programs offered specifically for this career, visit EducationPlannerBC.
Visit our trades training page at www.workbc.ca/trades to learn about apprenticeship and trades training in B.C.
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 35 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. You’ll also find the skill strength needed, letting you know how capable you must be in that skill.
Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Of the new openings over the next few years, more than half are expected to arise from the need to replace those who retire.
Future demand for workers will depend on growth in the Manufacturing industry. Underlying the demand is both the need for cabinetry for new homes as well as renovations that existing homeowners undertake. This will depend on the disposable income that people have available for renovations.
Technological improvements, such as computer-controlled equipment and computer-based systems for design, estimating and cost control, and new more efficient methods of building cabinets are increasing the productivity of these workers. For example, cabinetmakers are increasingly installing pre-manufactured cabinets and fixtures, which will significantly reduce the amount of work required. Improved worker productivity will decrease the number of new jobs created.
Cabinetmakers are increasingly required to work with computers, so workers with computer skills may have an advantage over those who do not.
Career paths
Workers typically start in this occupation by working as an apprentice or as a labourer in a production-oriented position.
Upon gaining considerable experience and or trade certification, workers can advance to supervisory positions or start their own businesses.
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