Career comparison
Cabinetmaker vs. Woodworking Machine Operator
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. $43,380), while woodworking machine operators usually get to work faster (A few months on the job of training). Cabinetmakers build cabinets, furniture and custom woodwork. Woodworking machine operators run saws, routers and sanders that make furniture, cabinets and wood products.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Cabinetmaker | Woodworking Machine Operator | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $46,680 ($22.44/hr) | $43,380 ($20.86/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $35,650 – $63,720 | $32,110 – $56,830 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -2.9% (a projected decline) | -2.5% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 6,900 | 5,300 |
| 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 | WCA credentials |
| Work setting | Cabinetmakers work in shops and at install sites.. | Operators work in furniture, cabinet and millwork plants.. |
What each job does
Cabinetmaker
- Read shop drawings
- Cut parts
- Machine joinery
- Assemble cabinets
- Build doors and drawers
Woodworking Machine Operator
- Set up machines
- Run CNC routers
- Run moulders and planers
- Sand parts
- Check dimensions
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, indoor work, and problem-solving. They sit in different fields, skilled trades & construction and mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing, but share transferable skills such as precision and attention to detail.
Which should you choose?
Choose cabinetmaker if…
- I love woodworking
- I’m precise
- I like design
Choose woodworking machine operator if…
- I like woodworking
- I like CNC machines
- I’m careful
Still torn? Take the Cabinetmaker fit quiz and the Woodworking Machine Operator fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, cabinetmaker or woodworking machine operator?
Cabinetmakers earn more at the median: $46,680 versus $43,380 for woodworking machine operators, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Woodworking Machine Operators typically train faster (A few months on the job) than cabinetmakers (Months to years of training).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects woodworking machine operators to grow -2.5% from 2025–35, compared with -2.9% for cabinetmakers.