Woodworking: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Woodworking is a hands-on discipline focused on the precise crafting, assembly, and finishing of wooden materials to create functional and artistic structures. Students develop expertise in transforming raw lumber into finished products through a combination of technical skill, design awareness, and mastery of specialized tools and techniques.
- Woodworking Techniques: Learn foundational methods such as measuring, marking, cutting, and joining wood with precision, using both hand tools and modern power equipment.
- Material Preparation: Understand the properties of various wood types and how to properly prepare, dry, and condition stock for optimal performance and durability.
- Joinery and Assembly: Master structural connections including mortise and tenon, dovetail, and dowel joints, ensuring strength and aesthetic integrity in constructed pieces.
- Surface Finishing: Gain proficiency in sanding, staining, sealing, and applying protective coatings to enhance appearance and longevity of finished work.
- Tool Operation and Safety: Develop safe, efficient handling of hand tools like chisels and planes, as well as power tools including table saws, routers, and planers.
- Repair and Restoration: Acquire skills in diagnosing and fixing structural or cosmetic damage in existing wooden objects, preserving historical and functional value.
- Design and Layout: Apply principles of spatial planning and scale to translate conceptual designs into accurate, buildable blueprints and templates.
Woodworking Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Woodworking Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Woodworking degrees, including Woodworkers, All Other and Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 69,940 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodworkers, All Other 51-7099 | $41,220 | $30,470 - $60,870 | 6,590 | $19.82 |
| Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing 51-7042 | $40,440 | $30,920 - $54,340 | 63,350 | $19.44 |
Woodworking Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $33,835 in Tennessee to $52,355 in Pennsylvania—a 55% difference. The highest-paying states include Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 69,940 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Woodworking by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 5 institutions offering Woodworking programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Woodworking is found at Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) (55 graduates), Northcentral Technical College (NTC) (14 graduates), Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) (7 graduates), Macomb Community College (1 graduates), and Austin Community College District (ACC) (1 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 78 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
55 | Lakewood, Colorado | Public | rrcc.edu |
| Northcentral Technical College (NTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Residency
Other Award
|
14 | Wausau, Wisconsin | Public | ntc.edu |
| Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) |
Other Award
|
7 | Santa Fe, New Mexico | Public | sfcc.edu |
| Macomb Community College |
Associate's
|
1 | Warren, Michigan | Public | macomb.edu |
| Austin Community College District (ACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Austin, Texas | Public | austincc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Woodworking programs
How much can I earn with a Woodworking degree?
Salaries for Woodworking graduates vary by role and location. Woodworkers, All Other earn a median of $41,220 annually, while Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing earn around $40,440. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Pennsylvania average $52,355 compared to $33,835 in Tennessee. Approximately 69,940 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Woodworking programs?
Currently 5 accredited institutions offer Woodworking degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) (55 graduates), Northcentral Technical College (NTC) (14 graduates), and Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) (7 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Woodworking growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 33 in 2010 to 78 in 2023-24. This represents a 136% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Woodworking degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Woodworkers, All Other, Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing, . Related occupations employ approximately 69,940 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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