A cabinet maker is a highly skilled laborer who typically receives a plan from a contractor, engineer or architect that details the dimensions of cabinetry for a job. He then cuts, buffs and joins wood together to build cabinets, using tools such as drills to mount necessary hardware used to open and close the cabinets. Cabinet makers typically build them in a wood shop or on location where the cabinets will be installed.
According to payscale.com and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the amount of money a cabinet maker earns depends largely upon a number of factors, including how many years of experience he has in the field and the type of employer for which he works.
Work Experience
The average salary range for a cabinet maker with five to nine years of experience is between $18,313 and $51,097. From years 10 to 19, he averages between $39,663 and $60,505 annually. And if he has worked in the field for 20 years or more he has the potential to earn a maximum salary of $71,756.
Employer Type and Size
The type and size of the employer a cabinet maker works for also greatly affects his average salary range. Self-employed cabinet makers earn between $18,000 and $60,000 annually, while those who work for companies earn an average of between $39,037 and $72,000 per year. Cabinet makers who work for companies with fewer than 10 employees earn the highest salaries---between $23,583 and $61,042 yearly.
Industry
The type of industry that employed a cabinet maker also affects his average salary. Some of the largest employers of cabinet makers are institutional and household kitchen cabinet making, office furniture, building finishing contractors and building supply dealers, where workers earn average salaries of between $29,620 and $33,240 per year. The highest-paying employers of cabinet makers are federal, local and state governments; general medical hospitals; and support activities for air transportation, where laborers average between $38,460 and $51,580.
Geographic Area
The state or area where a cabinet maker works also affects his average annual salary. The states with the highest concentration of cabinet makers are Utah, Idaho, Oregon, South Dakota and Indiana, where laborers earn average salaries of $28,220, $25,090, $30,730, $26100 and $29,340, respectively. The states and areas with the highest paid cabinet makers are the District of Columbia at $47,950, Illinois at $38,610, Connecticut at $38,130, New Jersey at $37,390, and Maryland at $36,750.
Benefits
Many cabinet makers receive additional benefits that increase their overall compensation packages, including between .9 and 1.4 weeks of paid vacation time. Cabinet makers also receive annual bonuses of between $486 and $880 and annual profit sharing of between $1,000 and $1,200. Other benefits include 401K retirement plans, casual dress and atmosphere in the work place, paid sick leave, life or disability insurance, and flex time.
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