Cabinetmaking and Millwork: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Cabinetmaking and Millwork is a precision-focused field that equips learners with the technical expertise to transform raw wood into custom architectural elements and functional furniture. This program emphasizes hands-on mastery of industrial machinery, design principles, and craftsmanship to produce high-quality, durable wood products for residential and commercial applications.
- Woodworking Machinery Operation: Learn to safely and efficiently run industrial equipment such as table saws, jointers, planers, and CNC routers, with an emphasis on precision, workflow optimization, and maintenance protocols.
- Design and Drafting Fundamentals: Develop skills in reading and creating technical drawings, blueprints, and CAD-based designs to translate conceptual ideas into measurable production plans.
- Joinery and Structural Techniques: Master advanced joinery methods—including mortise-and-tenon, dovetail, and biscuit joints—to ensure strength, stability, and aesthetic integrity in finished pieces.
- Material Selection and Wood Properties: Understand the characteristics of various hardwoods and softwoods, including grain behavior, moisture content, and sustainability factors, to make informed material choices.
- Finish Application and Surface Treatment: Gain proficiency in sanding, staining, sealing, and applying protective coatings to enhance both the appearance and longevity of woodwork.
- Custom Millwork Fabrication: Apply technical and artistic skills to produce architectural elements such as moldings, wainscoting, built-in cabinetry, and staircases tailored to specific project requirements.
Cabinetmaking and Millwork Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Cabinetmaking and Millwork Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Cabinetmaking and Millwork degrees, including Patternmakers, Wood, Model Makers, Wood and Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters. 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 193,160 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patternmakers, Wood 51-7032 | $52,520 | $40,730 - $83,330 | 180 | $25.25 |
| Model Makers, Wood 51-7031 | $51,850 | $24,710 - $95,850 | 360 | $24.93 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters 51-7011 | $46,020 | $34,700 - $63,220 | 79,540 | $22.12 |
| 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 |
| Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood 51-7041 | $39,950 | $29,670 - $56,560 | 43,140 | $19.21 |
Cabinetmaking and Millwork Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $35,880 in West Virginia to $52,626 in Michigan—a 47% difference. The highest-paying states include Michigan, Minnesota, and Rhode Island. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 193,160 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 Cabinetmaking and Millwork by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 39 institutions offering Cabinetmaking and Millwork 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 Cabinetmaking and Millwork is found at Hennepin Technical College (HTC) (69 graduates), Lee College (58 graduates), Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) (51 graduates), Cerritos College (29 graduates), and Palomar College (29 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 464 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hennepin Technical College (HTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
69 | Brooklyn Park, Minnesota | Public | hennepintech.edu |
| Lee College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
58 | Baytown, Texas | Public | lee.edu |
| Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) |
Other Award
|
51 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | cpcc.edu |
| Cerritos College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
29 | Norwalk, California | Public | cerritos.edu |
| Palomar College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
29 | San Marcos, California | Public | www2.palomar.edu |
| Columbus Technical College (Columbus Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
21 | Columbus, Georgia | Public | columbustech.edu |
| Laney College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Oakland, California | Public | laney.edu |
| Pinellas Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
12 | Clearwater, Florida | Public | myptc.edu |
| Michigan Career and Technical Institute (MCTI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
12 | Plainwell, Michigan | Public | michigan.gov |
| Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology (TSCT) |
Associate's
|
11 | Lancaster, Pennsylvania | Public | stevenscollege.edu |
| Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) |
Other Award
|
10 | Sanford, North Carolina | Public | cccc.edu |
| Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
10 | Appleton, Wisconsin | Public | fvtc.edu |
| Savannah Technical College |
Other Award
|
9 | Savannah, Georgia | Public | savannahtech.edu |
| Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) |
Other Award
|
8 | Muscle Shoals, Alabama | Public | nwscc.edu |
| Southeast Community College Area (SCC) |
Other Award
|
8 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | southeast.edu |
| Madison Area Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
8 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | madisoncollege.edu |
| American River College (ARC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
7 | Sacramento, California | Public | arc.losrios.edu |
| College of Southern Idaho (CSI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | Twin Falls, Idaho | Public | csi.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| Washburn Institute of Technology (Washburn Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Topeka, Kansas | Public | washburntech.edu |
| Saint Paul College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Public | saintpaul.edu |
| Bates Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
6 | Tacoma, Washington | Public | batestech.edu |
| Northwood Technical College (Northwood Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Rice Lake, Wisconsin | Public | northwoodtech.edu |
| Bucks County Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
5 | Newtown, Pennsylvania | Public | bucks.edu |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | matc.edu |
| College of the Redwoods (CR) |
Other Award
|
4 | Eureka, California | Public | redwoods.edu |
| Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Bangor, Maine | Public | emcc.edu |
| El Camino Community College District (ECC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
3 | Torrance, California | Public | elcamino.edu |
| Moraine Park Technical College (MPTC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Fond du Lac, Wisconsin | Public | morainepark.edu |
| Pima Community College (PCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | pima.edu |
| Florida Panhandle Technical College (FPTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Chipley, Florida | Public | fptc.edu |
| Hocking College |
Associate's
|
2 | Nelsonville, Ohio | Public | hocking.edu |
| Western Technical College (WTC) |
Other Award
|
2 | La Crosse, Wisconsin | Public | westerntc.edu |
| Santiago Canyon College (SCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
2 | Orange, California | Public | sccollege.edu |
| Bakersfield College (BC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Bakersfield, California | Public | bakersfieldcollege.edu |
| Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | slcc.edu |
| Seattle Central College |
Associate's
|
1 | Seattle, Washington | Public | seattlecentral.edu |
| Ocean County Vocational-Technical School (OCVTS) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Toms River, New Jersey | Public | ocvts.org |
| Lehigh Career & Technical Institute (LCTI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Schnecksville, Pennsylvania | Public | lcti.org |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Cabinetmaking and Millwork programs
How much can I earn with a Cabinetmaking and Millwork degree?
Salaries for Cabinetmaking and Millwork graduates vary by role and location. Patternmakers, Wood earn a median of $52,520 annually, while Model Makers, Wood earn around $51,850. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Michigan average $52,626 compared to $35,880 in West Virginia. Approximately 193,160 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 Cabinetmaking and Millwork programs?
Currently 40 accredited institutions offer Cabinetmaking and Millwork degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Hennepin Technical College (HTC) (69 graduates), Lee College (58 graduates), and Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) (51 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 Cabinetmaking and Millwork growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 555 in 2010 to 464 in 2023-24. This represents a 16% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, 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 Cabinetmaking and Millwork degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Patternmakers, Wood, Model Makers, Wood, and Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters. Related occupations employ approximately 193,160 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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