CABINETMAKERS California Occupational Guide Number 23 Interest Area 5-B 1995
THE JOB
CABINETMAKERS are skilled workers who make, repair, alter, and install fine wooden cabinets, fixtures, furniture, paneling and partitions, and doors and windows. In addition to various woods, they may use masonite, formica, and vinyl surfacing materials. Sometimes the Cabinetmaker designation is applied to semi-skilled production workers who merely assemble precut parts to turn out mass-produced units.
This Guide relates only to the crafts workers who make custom-designed items and who place special importance on the beauty of good materials and careful workmanship.
Cabinet shops often specialize. The majority make only household cabinets and similar cabinets and shelves for stores. Others concentrate on booths, counters, bars, backbars, and wall and ceiling panels for restaurants and other public rooms. Still others make only church fixtures, including paneling, pulpits, pews, and altars. Some cabinet shops work only as subcontractors to general building contractors.
Cabinetmakers can and frequently do complete the entire job. They select and cut the materials, fit and assemble the parts, and do the final touch up with sandpaper and steel wool. They work from drawings and stock bills, planning the sequence of operations and the cutting of the lumber for economy, efficiency and final appearance. If the piece is to be finished so the natural characteristics of the wood are in evidence, the Cabinetmaker gives particular attention to knots and other features and carefully matches the grain.
The Cabinetmaker's trade includes the use of such machines as trim saws, band saws, shapers, planers, jointers, and sanders. However, some shops employ other workers to operate these machines while the Cabinetmakers use hand tools to assemble and finish the frame, hang doors, fit drawers, and install hardware. Specially skilled workers in custom furniture shops may shape and finish elaborately curved pieces, and a few may also do carving and inlay work.
Shop practices vary as to who installs the cabinets and who paints or finishes them. Generally, installation is part of the Cabinetmaker's duties, while painting and finishing may be left to others. However, in some custom furniture shops, the Cabinetmaker performs all these functions.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Cabinet shops are generally clean and adequately lighted and ventilated. Some shops may not be heated. Workers are subject to the noise of woodworking machines and the presence of wood dust. The work demands continuous moderate physical activity, and usually entails some heavy lifting. Hazards include cuts from sharp tools and possible injury from the machines; but care and safety measures can keep these at a minimum.
Journey-level Cabinetmakers may be expected to have their own hand tools. They start accumulating these during their training and gradually build up a kit as they gain skill and experience. A complete kit can represent an investment of between $600 and $1,750. Wood carving and marquetry (inlay) tools may cost an additional $300 to $600. Some shops do not require more than a few basic tools, costing between $150 and $250.
Cabinetmakers in union shops are required to join the local union. Some shops that make household cabinets or commercial and church fixtures have contracts with the Millmen and Industrial Carpenters Local or the Cabinetmakers and Millmen Local which are affiliated with the Carpenters Union.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
The following information is from the California Projections of Employment published by the Labor Market Information Division.
These figures represent the broad occupational group Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters which includes Cabinetmakers.
Estimated number of workers in 1990 14,190 Estimated number workers in 2005 16,200 Projected Growth Percentage 14% Estimated openings due to separations by 2005 7,830 (These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)
Employment in cabinet making in northern California tends to be in shops of twenty or fewer workers, with many shops of only 2 or 3 workers. Often these shops are father and son shops and may or may not hire additional Cabinetmakers. In northern California, employers tend to report a shortage of qualified applicants; however, there are relatively few jobs openings and turnover is low.
Employment in cabinet making in southern California is mainly in furniture manufacturing. Most job openings are for replacement rather than expansion. Only a very small percentage of Cabinetmakers work in the construction industry.
The demand for Cabinetmakers in California depends largely on the home building market, which in turn depends on the state of the economy and population growth. Other factors affecting demand include the increased availability of modular cabinetry and imported products.
WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS
Wages for inexperienced Cabinetmakers range from $4.25 to $11.00 per hour. Experienced Cabinetmakers can earn from $4.50 to $19.00 per hour. Having worked three years with the same firm, they can make $6.50 to $21.00 per hour. The customary work week consists of five, eight-hour days. Under union contracts, Cabinetmakers enjoy a full complement of benefits.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
Entry into the trade of cabinet making is either through on-the-job training in a cabinet shop with or without prior training or through an apprenticeship. Applicants for apprenticeship are carefully screened, and high school graduates with credits in wood shop, drafting, physical science and mathematics are given preference. Apprenticeship applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or G.E.D. (general educational development) certification.
The Cabinetmaker apprenticeship program takes approximately four years to complete and includes job experience and night classes at adult vocational and education centers or community colleges.
In addition, there are certificate and associate of arts degree programs in Millwork and Cabinetmaking at Fresno, San Joaquin Delta, San Diego City, and Sierra Community Colleges.
ADVANCEMENT
Qualified Cabinetmakers may become supervisors, estimators, or detailers. Detailers are drafters who break down cabinet and fixture drawings into their separate parts, specifying exact dimensions, types of joints, and methods of assembly. They must have shop experience in the trade, plus instruction in mathematics, physics, drafting, and the mechanical properties of wood. Estimators need sales ability as well as the ability to visualize and describe a proposed installation and figure its cost. Supervisors should know supervision techniques and something about the principles of management. Instruction in all these subjects is available at most local colleges and vocational centers. Finally, a Cabinetmaker may open a shop or join a partnership.
FINDING THE JOB
People interested in becoming Cabinetmakers should inquire in local shops and decide the type of training they wish to pursue. Candidates for apprenticeship should inquire at the California Employment Development Department or at the union. Experienced Cabinetmakers may also place applications with these two agencies, or with employers or private employment offices. Community colleges and private schools give their students placement assistance.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
The American Furniture Manufacturers Association P.O. Box HP-7 High Point, NC 27261 (910) 8845000
RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES
Carpenters No. 169
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev 1) Cabinetmaker (woodworking) 660.280-010
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System Cabinetmakers & Bench Carpenters 893110
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department, Labor
Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
(916) 262-2162.
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