How to become a Cabinetmaker
Official title: Cabinetmakers
Also called: Cabinetmaker, Furniture cabinetmaker, Cabinetmaker apprentice, Tradesman/woman cabinetmaker, Journeyman/woman cabinetmaker, Wood model maker, Wood mould maker, Wood patternmaker, Wood pattern inspector, Custom piano case maker, Custom wooden desk maker, Custom wood furniture maker
Cabinetmakers use a variety of woods and laminates to construct and repair wooden cabinets, furniture, fixtures and related products. They are employed by furniture manufacturing or repair companies, construction companies and cabinetmaking contractors, or they may be self-employed. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Main tasks
- Study plans, specifications or drawings of articles to be made, or prepare specifications
- Mark outlines or dimensions of parts on wood
- Operate woodworking machines, such as power saws, jointers, mortisers and shapers, and use hand tools to cut, shape and form parts and components
- Trim joints and fit parts and subassemblies together to form complete unit using glue and clamps and reinforce joints using nails, screws or other fasteners
- Sand wooden surfaces and apply veneer, stain or polish to finished products
- Repair or restyle wooden furniture, fixtures and related products
- May estimate amount, type and cost of materials required
How to become one
Completion of secondary school is usually required. Completion of a four-year apprenticeship program or A combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school or college courses in cabinetmaking is usually required to be eligible for trade certification. Trade certification is available, but voluntary, in all provinces and territories. Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified cabinetmakers upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Red Seal trade. Completion of a four-year apprenticeship program or A combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school or college courses in cabinetmaking is usually required to be eligible for trade certification. Red Seal endorsement is available. Apprenticeships are run by each province and territory.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $46,800 a year The middle half earn $40,950 to $53,625.
- About 5,200 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 5,300 are projected by 2033. (+1.9%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: moderate risk of shortage.
Related jobs
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Cabinetmaker?
Completion of secondary school is usually required. Completion of a four-year apprenticeship program or A combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school or college courses in cabinetmaking is usually required to be eligible for trade certification. Trade certification is available, but voluntary, in all provinces and territories. Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified cabinetmakers upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
How much does a Cabinetmaker earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $46,800 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $40,950 to $53,625.
Is a Cabinetmaker a growing career in Canada?
Employment is projected to stay about the same by 2033: about 5,200 people now and 5,300 later (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a Cabinetmaker?
Usually not. Only 9% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Red Seal trade.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03