by our College Data Analytics TeamWoodworking 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.
In 2020-2021, woodworking was the 330th most popular major nationwide with 431 degrees awarded. This 178 less than the prior year, a decrease of 41.3%.
This year's Best Woodworking Schools ranking compares 3 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of woodworking programs later in this article.
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.
woodworking degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. In addition to these basic woodworking program qualifications, to serve in some woodworking careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are various different levels of woodworking degrees. You can spend many years getting as high as a in woodworking to something that takes less time like a . Different woodworking degrees vary in how long they take.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to woodworking, with approximately 0.7% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for woodworking workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 55.4% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 19.9% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 19.5% |
| Some College Courses | 3.8% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 0.9% |
The chart below shows what degree level those who work in woodworking have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the woodworking career you are seeking.
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.
Want a job when you graduate with your woodworking degree? Woodworking careers are expected to grow 1.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to woodworking.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | 111,800 | 2.3% |
| Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 77,500 | 0.5% |
| Wood Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 54,600 | -0.4% |
| Furniture Finishers | 22,300 | -0.4% |
| Woodworkers | 12,500 | 3.3% |
Recently graduated woodworking students earned an average of $30,324 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $22,714 to as high as $37,934. As you might expect, salaries for woodworking graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for woodworking graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers woodworking grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Wood Patternmakers | $59,650 |
| Wood Model Makers | $52,590 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | $36,580 |
| Woodworkers | $34,530 |
| Furniture Finishers | $33,850 |
With over 124 different woodworking degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased woodworking school rankings to help you with this.
Woodworking is one of 5 different types of Precision Production programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cabinetmaking & Millwork | 280 |
| Furniture Design & Manufacturing | 65 |
| General Woodworking | 42 |
| Wooden Boatbuilding Technology | 30 |
| Other Woodworking | 14 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Precision Metal Working | 52,308 |
| Other Precision Production | 68 |
| Leatherworking & Upholstery | 54 |
| Precision Production Trades | 39 |
| Boilermaking | 13 |
