Career comparison
Cabinetmaker vs. Furniture Finisher
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Cabinetmakers earn more at the median ($46,680 vs. $44,540), while furniture finishers usually get to work faster (A few months on the job of training). Cabinetmakers build cabinets, furniture and custom woodwork. Furniture finishers stain, finish and restore furniture and cabinetry.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Cabinetmaker | Furniture Finisher | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $46,680 ($22.44/hr) | $44,540 ($21.41/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $35,650 – $63,720 | $32,160 – $61,020 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -2.9% (a projected decline) | -3.5% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 6,900 | 1,500 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | Months to years of training | A few months on the job |
| Key credential | WCA credentials | Finishing course |
| Work setting | Cabinetmakers work in shops and at install sites.. | Finishers work in shops, factories and spray booths.. |
What each job does
Cabinetmaker
- Read shop drawings
- Cut parts
- Machine joinery
- Assemble cabinets
- Build doors and drawers
Furniture Finisher
- Sand surfaces
- Strip old finishes
- Stain and tone
- Spray finishes
- Repair damage
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, creative work, indoor work, and working independently. Both are part of the skilled trades & construction field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose cabinetmaker if…
- I love woodworking
- I’m precise
- I like design
Choose furniture finisher if…
- I have a good color eye
- I’m patient
- I like wood
Still torn? Take the Cabinetmaker fit quiz and the Furniture Finisher fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, cabinetmaker or furniture finisher?
Cabinetmakers earn more at the median: $46,680 versus $44,540 for furniture finishers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Furniture Finishers typically train faster (A few months on the job) than cabinetmakers (Months to years of training).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects cabinetmakers to grow -2.9% from 2025–35, compared with -3.5% for furniture finishers.