Cabinetmakers

(NOC 7272)

in All Trades and Transportation

Cabinetmakers build, repair, finish and install custom or production-type wooden (or wood substitute) fixtures and furniture. They work for furniture manufacturing or repair companies, construction companies, and cabinetmaking contractors, or they may be self-employed.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

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  • Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
  • Estimate 0 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

  • Estimate 4040 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 8425 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Outlook: undetermined - an outlook was not determined for this occupation due to too few workers in Nova Scotia.
Size of the occupation in Nova Scotia: small with infrequent job opportunities.
Demand: Several positions will become available due to retirements.
Work hours: full-time, usually. Both permanent and temporary positions are common.

Hourly Pay

N/A

Minimum

N/A

Median

N/A

Maximum

Annual Pay

$8,793

Minimum

$27,005

Median

$44,004

Maximum

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

Hourly Pay

$15.00

Minimum

$24.00

Median

$37.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$7,580

Minimum

$37,269

Median

$79,787

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Cabinetmakers build, repair, finish and install custom or production-type wooden (or wood substitute) fixtures and furniture. They work for furniture manufacturing or repair companies, construction companies, and cabinetmaking contractors, or they may be self-employed.

Job duties

Cabinetmakers:

  • Study plans, specifications, or drawings of articles to be made, or prepare specifications.
  • Mark outlines or dimensions of parts on wood.
  • Use woodworking machines like 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.

Sample job titles

  • cabinetmaker
  • custom wood furniture maker
  • furniture cabinetmaker
  • journeyperson cabinetmaker
  • wood furniture and fixtures patternmaker
  • wood patternmaker

Skills

  • Good hand-eye coordination and spatial perception
  • Manual dexterity
  • Mathematical ability
  • Good eyesight to select woods and look for surface imperfections
  • Strength and stamina
  • Accuracy
  • Ability to visualize a finished product from drawings, blueprints, or other specifications

Job requirements

  • High school or equivalent (usually).
  • A combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school or college courses in cabinetmaking.
  • Trade Qualifier option, 10,800 hours, and other criteria.
  • Certification for cabinetmakers is voluntary in Nova Scotia.
  • Write and score a minimum of 70% on the Red Seal exam for cabinetmakers.
  • Red Seal Endorsement (RSE) allows for interprovincial mobility.

Other considerations

  • Cabinetmakers typically work indoors in a shop environment. They may also work at locations where the products are installed.
  • Hazards include high noise levels, sawdust, chemicals, and risk of injury from working with woodworking machinery, portable power tools, and hand tools.
  • Heavy lifting may be required to handle equipment and supplies.
  • Some cabinetmakers specialize in a type of product like custom-made furniture, stairs, or cabinet doors. In large shops using high-tech, computer-controlled equipment, cabinetmakers may specialize in one or two functions.
  • Experienced cabinetmakers may act as mentors and trainers to new entrants in the trade. They may advance to supervisory or design positions or may open their own shop.
  • Everyone has fair access to participate and succeed in the apprenticeship system. Everyone who develops the necessary skills and abilities should be able to succeed in the trades and trade qualification system. Work environments in the province support women and equity-seeking communities.

By the numbers

Quick look

315

employed in 2016

90.5%

employed full-time

15.9%

self employed

7.9%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
92.1%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
49.1

median age

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

57,925

employed in 2016

85.9%

employed full-time

11.8%

self employed

5.3%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
94.7%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
46.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

37.5%

Halifax

$31,342 median annual income
18.8%

Annapolis Valley

$29,108 median annual income
17.2%

North Shore

$17,975 median annual income
14.1%

Southern

$35,644 median annual income
12.5%

Cape Breton

$19,717 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

71.4%

Manufacturing

20.4%

Construction

4.1%

Wholesale trade

4.1%

Retail trade

What is the age of Employment?

26.0%

45-54

23.0%

55-64

23.0%

25-34

14.0%

35-44

8.0%

65+

6.0%

15-24

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

24.4%

45-54

22.1%

55-64

17.7%

35-44

17.7%

25-34

10.9%

15-24

Top levels of education

28.6%

College Diploma

$22,198 median annual income
23.8%

Trade Certification

$18,682 median annual income
20.6%

High school

$29,085 median annual income
17.5%

Less than high school

$33,732 median annual income
6.3%

Bachelor

N/A

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

29.2%

Trade Certification

$46,494 median annual income
25.5%

High school

$31,260 median annual income
22.3%

College Diploma

$42,050 median annual income
18.7%

Less than high school

$28,319 median annual income
2.8%

Bachelor

$30,527 median annual income

Education & training

Cabinetmaking and Millwork

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to set up, operate and repair industrial woodworking machinery, and to use such machinery to design and fabricate wooden components and complete articles.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

Regulations

Cabinet Maker

Certificate of Qualification (Voluntary): This is a designated trade in Nova Scotia. Employers may require certification, but a certificate is not needed to legally work in this trade.

Regulating body:
Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Halifax, NS

Contacts

Construction Association of Nova Scotia
Dartmouth, NS
Atlantic Canada Regional Council of Carpenters, Millwrights and Allied Workers
Various, NS