72311 – Cabinetmakers
Lead statement
Cabinetmakers use a variety of woods and laminates to construct and repair wooden cabinets, furniture, fixtures and related products. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Main duties
- 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.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a four-year apprenticeship program ora 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.
Example job titles
cabinetmaker apprentice · journeyman/woman cabinetmaker · custom frame and mirror assembler · cabinetmaker · furniture cabinetmaker · custom wooden desk maker · custom piano case maker · jig builder - wood products manufacturing · wood model maker · wood patternmaker · layout marker - cabinetmaking · wood furniture and fixtures patternmaker · wood pattern inspector · custom wood furniture maker · tradesman/woman cabinetmaker · wood mould maker · wood pattern repairman/woman - foundry · pattern repairman/woman - foundry
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $19.00 | $24.00 | $31.00 |
| Quebec | $19.00 | $24.00 | $30.00 |
| Ontario | $19.00 | $25.00 | $33.00 |
| Manitoba | $17.00 | $22.50 | $31.84 |
| Alberta | $18.00 | $23.00 | $30.00 |
| British Columbia | $20.00 | $26.00 | $33.35 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.