by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 52 U.S. colleges awarded 610 degrees and certificates in Woodworking. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 50% of graduates. College Factual ranks 18 schools in its 2027 Best Woodworking Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $28,034 one year after completing, rising to $42,474 after four years.
Woodworking has been around for centuries and is still important today. Majoring in Woodworking provides an education in mark sawing, carving, sanding, and binding wooden products. This also includes putting together wooden articles, shaping and laying out stocks, repairing wooden objects and using various power and hand tools.
This major has two main concentrations in Cabinetmaking and Millwork, or Furniture Design and Manufacturing. Students will take classes in their chosen concentration as well as drawing digital design, furniture making, the history of design, and contemporary design. This program is commonly offered as a certification, however can be received as an Associate's degree.
A degree in Woodworking explores Woodworking.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, woodworking draws strong interest, with 610 degrees awarded annually. 52 colleges award woodworking degrees, an average of 12 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 93.
By level, the 610 awards include 164 certificates, 103 associate degrees, 27 bachelor’s degrees and 304 master’s degrees.
Women earned 20% of woodworking degrees and certificates in the latest year (124 of 610). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (341) and Hispanic or Latino (116), and international students earned 16.
College Factual ranks 18 schools in its 2027 Best Woodworking Schools ranking, including 3 for associate degrees and 1 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks woodworking schools within 2 states. In all, 52 colleges offer woodworking programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Woodworking Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common woodworking credential is the master’s degree: 304 of the 610 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to woodworking call most for Operations Monitoring, Monitoring and Operation and Control, and for knowledge of Mathematics, Production and Processing and Mechanical, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Near Vision, Manual Dexterity and Arm-Hand Steadiness.
Woodworking is an ideal major for students who like to work with their hands and pay close attention to detail. You should take pride in your craftsmanship and work to fix flaws and errors. Students should also be comfortable with basic computer and math skills, as well as geometry and measurement.
This is a career that requires physical strength and stamina due to long work hours and heavy materials. Most programs include an apprenticeship in order to gain work experience and to learn the basics. This involves working alongside a professional within the field, in addition to hours in the classroom.
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How long a woodworking degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 164 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 103 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 27 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 304 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to woodworking, at 52.6%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 52.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 19.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 18.9% |
| Some college courses | 5.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 4.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
7 occupations are related to Woodworking, with an average median salary of $56,006; the strongest outlook belongs to Patternmakers, Wood, at 14.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Stock Checker, Wood Carver, Tip Inserter and Patternmaker.
Woodworkers construct various products, such as furniture and cabinets. Usually woodworkers work on-site and will use large tools and read detailed blueprints and schematics. Carpenters repair and construct building structures and framework; they additionally install cabinetry, drywall, and siding. Graduates can also find work as construction laborers and helpers, and construction managers.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to woodworking, at 968,557.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Patternmakers, Wood | 968,557 | 14.0% |
| Woodworkers, All Other | 945,993 | 10.0% |
| Model Makers, Wood | 478,406 | 0.5% |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | 468,547 | -4.2% |
| Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | 456,048 | 2.3% |
| Furniture Finishers | 418,120 | 7.3% |
| Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood | 106,998 | 8.4% |
Woodworking graduates earn a median $28,034 one year after completing their program, $42,474 after four years and $46,526 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $28,034 |
| 4 years | $42,474 |
| 5 years | $46,526 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to woodworking, with a median salary of $69,107.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Patternmakers, Wood | $69,107 |
| Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood | $67,957 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | $67,016 |
| Woodworkers, All Other | $57,136 |
| Model Makers, Wood | $55,448 |
| Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | $38,070 |
| Furniture Finishers | $37,305 |
Woodworking includes 5 concentrations that together award 610 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Cabinetmaking and Millwork (483), Furniture Design and Manufacturing (56) and Woodworking, General (37). It has 5 similar majors in the Precision Production field, which together award 73,501 degrees a year; the largest are Precision Metal Working (73,316), Precision Production, Other (110) and PRECISION PRODUCTION (32). Browse all Precision Production majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cabinetmaking and Millwork | 483 |
| Furniture Design and Manufacturing | 56 |
| Woodworking, General | 37 |
| Wooden Boatbuilding Technology/Technician | 28 |
| Woodworking, Other | 6 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Precision Metal Working | 73,316 |
| Precision Production, Other | 110 |
| PRECISION PRODUCTION | 32 |
| Leatherworking and Upholstery | 28 |
| Boilermaking/Boilermaker | 15 |
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