Cabinetmakers

(NOC 7272)

in All Trades and Transportation

Cabinetmakers use a variety of woods and laminates to construct and repair wooden cabinets, furniture, fixtures, and related products. They work for furniture manufacturing or repair companies, construction companies and cabinetmaking contractors, or they may be self-employed.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
Estimate openings due to growth and retirements not available for this occupation.
Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

Estimate 205 employment change, 2019-2021
Estimate 4385 openings due to growth and retirements, 2018-2020
Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Cabinetmakers most commonly work full-time hours. Also, a fair portion of the workforce is self-employed, so having the option to "work for yourself" may appeal to some individuals’ interests/motivations.

The median employment income for 48% of Cabinetmakers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $32,970. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)

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

$13.50

Minimum

$27.25

Median

$35.50

Maximum

Annual Pay

$7,580

Minimum

$37,269

Median

$79,787

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

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
journeyman/woman cabinetmaker
wood furniture and fixtures patternmaker
wood patternmaker

Skills

This work requires good hand-eye coordination, spatial perception, and material handling abilities. You should be in excellent physical condition and be willing to work under adverse weather conditions and at heights from ladders, staging, and rooftops. You must also be able to follow instructions and cooperate with others as part of a team. Some artistic ability is an asset.

Job requirements

High school is usually required.
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 Nova Scotia.
Red Seal Endorsement (RSE) is also available to qualified cabinetmakers upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

Other considerations

Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

315

employed in 2016

90.5%

employed full-time

15.9%

self employed

7.9%

92.1%

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%

94.7%

46.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

37.5%

Halifax

18.8%

Annapolis Valley

17.2%

North Shore

14.1%

Southern

12.5%

Cape Breton

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%

Apprenticeship

$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%

Apprenticeship

$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

Adult high school/secondary diploma programs

This program is typically offered at the high school level.

The Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) administers, coordinates, and supports the development and delivery of adult education programs through learning partners in Nova Scotia. Our learning partners include the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations that offer tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED, empowering Nova Scotians to achieve their learning and employment goals.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Siège Social: 1695, Route 1

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0

(902) 769-2114

Blanche.Theriault@usainteanne.ca

Website

Nova Scotia Community College - Adult Learning

PO Box 220

Halifax, NS B3J 2M4

(866) 679-6722

admissions@nscc.ca

Website

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Website

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Website

Cabinetmaking and millwork

This program is typically offered at the trades/college level.

This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals 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 - Pictou Campus & School of Fisheries

PO Box 820, 39 Acadia Avenue

Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0

(902) 752-2002

pictou.info@nscc.ca

Website

Apprenticeship Training

Department of Labour and Advanced Education 1256 Barrington Street, 3rd Fl, Box 578

Halifax, NS B3J 2S9

(800) 494-5651

apprenticeship@novascotia.ca

Website

Woodworking - General

This program is typically offered at the trades/college level.

This instructional program class includes any program that generally prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to lay out and shape stock; assemble wooden articles or subassemblies; mark, bind, saw, carve, and sand wooden products; repair wooden articles, and use a variety of hand and power tools.

There are no schools in Nova Scotia offering this program.

Employment requirements & contacts

Regulations

Cabinet Maker

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

Regulating body:

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

1256 Barrington Street, 3rd Fl, Box 578

Halifax, NS B3J 2S9

(800) 494-5651

apprenticeship@novascotia.ca

Website