Woodworking is a field with significant earning potential, yet not everyone fully grasps its financial rewards. While there are various avenues to explore within this industry, it’s essential to recognize that achieving longevity in this craft requires dedication in terms of time, effort, and investment.
Given these considerations, you might wonder whether the potential salary of a typical woodworker justifies the commitment. Allow me to share some insights on the income you can expect in this profession.
How Much Can a Woodworker Make?
According to today’s labor statistics, an average woodworker earns $51,598 annually. If we convert it further, the hourly rate ranges around $24.81. It may seem decent, but the bottom 10% of the workers only make around $24,000 yearly.
If you’re one of the best in the field, you can make more than an average woodworker. Industry professionals in the top 10% earn more than $100,000.
By Specialty
Like it or not, your skill level affects how much you can earn with woodworking. If you’re a beginner working on simple projects, the salary you can expect ranges from $30,000 to $40,000.
Meanwhile, woodworkers who work independently and take on more complex woodworking plans often make up to $60,000 annually. You may not know, but these intermediate workers have more extensive experiences and more developed skills than beginners.
People with decades of industry experience can take more than $100,000 yearly. They offer one-of-a-kind workpieces, so collectors and other consumers flock to their craft.
See Also: Most Profitable Woodworking Projects to Build and Sell
By Industry
If you ask our experts, the most profitable woodworking niche is furniture-making. Custom workpieces can earn woodworkers up to $100,000, depending on their skill and creativity level.
Next in line is cabinetry, where the salary ranges from $35,000 to $60,000 annually. It can bump into $80,000 for top earners.
Woodturners, timber framers, and boat builders operate within a similar income bracket.
Additionally, skilled woodworkers who specialize in crafting wooden instruments have the potential to earn up to $100,000, provided they possess outstanding expertise in their craft and demonstrate astute business acumen.
This earning potential highlights the value placed on exceptional craftsmanship and entrepreneurial skills within the woodworking industry.
How Much Do Self-Employed Woodworkers Make?
Self-employed woodworkers only account for approximately 5% of the industry’s population. Their salaries can range from $20,000 to $100,000. However, their earnings are highly dependent on experience and expertise.
On top of that, their income fluctuates more often than regular woodworkers due to industry demand and seasonal factors.
How much Do Top or Master Woodworkers Make?
Master woodworkers are often in high demand, so it’s only natural that they offer a premium price range for their services. Their salaries can go over $100,000, from making high-end furniture pieces to construction elements.
National Annual Salary Average
Based on the May 2020 report of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)[1], the national annual salary for woodworkers is approximately $33,960.
This estimation mainly includes mainstream woodworking niches like machine operators, cabinetmakers, and furniture makers.
However, it’s important to note that the actual income per woodworker still varies based on skill level and industry.
Annual Salary Per State
- Nebraska – $43,178
- Massachusetts – $60,957
- Minnesota – $46,771
- Georgia – $42,825
- Texas – $28,728
- Kansas – $48,380
- Montana – $41,150
- Utah – $42,547
- South Dakota – $44,013
- Iowa – $51,586
States With the Top Annual Average Salaries
- Alaska – $75,724
- New Jersey – $74,379
- Maine – $71,149
- Maryland – $63,914
- Rhode Island – $63,874
How Much Should a Woodworker Charge Per Hour?
Before you decide how much to charge per hour, you must account for the project’s materials, profit margin, duration, and overhead costs. Beginners and casual woodworkers can set their prices around $20 and $50 per hour, but specialized craftsmen can demand more.
Is Woodworking a Good Career?
Since woodworking includes different niches and projects, it’s a lucrative field to build your career. It also comes in high demand, so you must keep up with the trend and the latest technology. But is woodworking really profitable? Find out next.
What Type of Woodworking Makes the Most Money? + Highest Paying Jobs
As mentioned before, crafting furniture remains the top-earning gig in today’s woodworking scene. It demands top-notch skills and a keen eye for detail to fashion a true work of art, and that’s why people are willing to invest more in it.
Meanwhile, cabinetry is also a great contender, mainly because it’s a staple structure in every home and office setting.
Woodworker Education + Starting a Career in Woodworking
It’s not a requirement to have a formal education in woodworking. However, you can do apprenticeships or attend trade schools and community colleges before starting this career. You may check out the best woodworking schools in the world next.
Besides working for a company, many people learn the woodworking ropes by freelancing or opening workshops by themselves.
Conclusion
Achieving the top-tier income as a woodworker isn’t just about having top-notch skills. It requires dedication, effort, and some financial investment to thrive in this craft. So, it’s advisable to keep yourself in the loop with the latest tools and methods. By doing so, you can boost your income prospects over the years.
Robert Johnson is a passionate furniture maker & carpenter, sought after for his knowledge on the craft.
You’ve probably seen his down-to-earth wisdom in USA Today, Bobvila, Family Handyman, and The Spruce, where he has shared commentary and guidance on various woodworking topics.
Robert is the brain behind Sawinery, where he aims to share tips, tricks, and a passion for all things carpentry.
