? about salary--Finish Carpenter/Cabinetmaker
 

Im thinking about gettting into school for either Finish Carpenter or Cabinetmaker. Its all the same school course, but where you go afterwards is your choice. I was wondering if anyone out there is in either of these trades and what kind of money you'd be making just out of school and what possiblities there would be for your salary later on or in a good job.

I have a couple other career path choices, and money is a big factor in my decision.

It's been said before but it bears repeating... Don't let money be such a big factor in deciding your career choice, in the long run, if you aren't happy doing what you are doing - all the money in the world won't make a difference. Find what you love to do - and the money will follow... It may not be easy but the money will be there as long as you are doing what you love.

what you will make as a cabinetmaker largely depends on the area of the country that you are working in. I'm a cabinetmaker currently working in a medium size shop that does strictly commercial work (schools, hospitals, jails, etc.). I've been in the business for probably 10 years or so, and about 5 years with my present employer. I can tell you that I make enough to support myself and my two children and live a very modest lifestyle. Installers typically make more than the people building the cabinets but also have to travel and purchase many more tools, their job is much more physical also. I would only recommend going into this line of work if you truly love working with wood, as the pay is not the best, and the work requires many skills and the penalties for mistakes can be severe (I'm missing a finger because of a simple mistake). Having said that, if you do truly love working with wood (as I do) then this is a very rewarding career choice, but don't expect to get rich unless you plan on opening a decent sized shop and are willing to hustle to get the work.

btw, if you have any questions at all feel free to post them, or pm me with them and I will answer as best I can.

I do love to work with wood. I'd like to have a decent shop at my future house so i could build furniture and try to sell it on the internet or whatever else is out there. My dream would be to have my own furniture store. If figure i'd probably start out in a cabinet shop or something at 11$/hour. But i'd like to know if a Finish Carpenter makes more money, cause thats aslo something i think i would enjoy. I used to wire houses for alarms, pre-construction, and i saw some wood guys building a bar down in the basement. Thats one of the things a finsih carpenter would be doing.

So thanks cj for the reply. And anyone who knows about finish carpentry, i would greatly appreciate any insight.


Oh yeah, to the first poster, all my other choices are something i would enjoy doing. I just wanna get as much money as i can. The thing is that im a little older than i should be, 25, and the woodwork is probably the fastest way i could get my life going.

Finish carpenters do make a little bit better money, but again, the investment in tools is greater, you will likely be supplying your own truck, gas and insurance for traveling and picking up materials, and many contarctors prefer their finish guys to be an independent contractor thereby requiring you to be licensed/bonded. The money is little better, but the investment is also much greater, so it typically ends up about even.

Oh and by the way, I was about 26 or so when I got into the trade, so really your not too old.

Oh how true this is. Money isn't everything and it certainly doesn't buy hapiness. But being happy can sure bring in the money because it impacts a basic way of thinking that tranfers into all your results of everything you do.