Career comparison
Cabinetmaker vs. Musical Instrument Repairer
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. $46,420), while cabinetmakers usually get to work faster (Months to years of training of training). Cabinetmakers build cabinets, furniture and custom woodwork. Musical instrument repairers repair, tune and build musical instruments.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Cabinetmaker | Musical Instrument Repairer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $46,680 ($22.44/hr) | $46,420 ($22.32/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $35,650 – $63,720 | $31,220 – $71,600 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -2.9% (a projected decline) | +1.9% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 6,900 | 600 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | Months to years of training | 1–3 years of training |
| Key credential | WCA credentials | RPT |
| Work setting | Cabinetmakers work in shops and at install sites.. | Repairers work in shops, music stores, schools and homes.. |
What each job does
Cabinetmaker
- Read shop drawings
- Cut parts
- Machine joinery
- Assemble cabinets
- Build doors and drawers
Musical Instrument Repairer
- Tune pianos
- Repair brass and woodwinds
- Set up guitars
- Replace pads and strings
- Fix cracks
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, creative work, indoor work, and working independently. They sit in different fields, skilled trades & construction and arts, media & design, but share transferable skills such as precision and patience.
Which should you choose?
Choose cabinetmaker if…
- I love woodworking
- I’m precise
- I like design
Choose musical instrument repairer if…
- I love music
- I have a good ear
- I like fine detail work
Still torn? Take the Cabinetmaker fit quiz and the Musical Instrument Repairer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, cabinetmaker or musical instrument repairer?
Cabinetmakers earn more at the median: $46,680 versus $46,420 for musical instrument repairers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Cabinetmakers typically train faster (Months to years of training) than musical instrument repairers (1–3 years of training).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects musical instrument repairers to grow +1.9% from 2025–35, compared with -2.9% for cabinetmakers.