Furniture finishers: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more
Furniture finishers shape, finish, and refinish damaged and worn furniture. They may work with antiques and must judge how to preserve and repair them. They also do the staining, sealing, and top coating at the end of the process of making wooden products.
- Education Required
- Because of the growing sophistication of machinery, many employers are seeking applicants who have a high school diploma or equivalent. People seeking woodworking jobs can enhance their employment prospects by getting training in computer applications and math.
- Training Required
- Education is helpful, but woodworkers are trained primarily on the job, where they learn skills from experienced workers. Beginning workers are given basic tasks, such as placing a piece of wood through a machine and stacking the finished product at the end of the process.
- Job Outlook
-
The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 2% (Slower than average)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.) - Licenses/Certifications
- Although not required, becoming certified can demonstrate competence and professionalism. It also may help a candidate advance in the profession. The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America offers a national certificate program, with five progressive credentials, which adds a level of credibility to the work of woodworkers.
- Median pay: How much do Woodworkers make?
- $30,180 Annual Salary
- $14.51 per hour
Careers for Woodworkers
- Architectural wood model makers
- Backup sawyers
- Band scroll saw operators
- Bandmill operators
- Buzzsaw operators
- CNC wood lathe operators
- Cabinet builders
- Cabinet finishers
- Cabinetmakers
- Chop saw operators
- Circle saw operators
- Curve saw operators
- Cut Off saw operators
- Furniture refinishers
- Furniture sanders
- Hardwood sawyers
- Headrig sawyers
- Marquetry workers
- Panel saw operators
- Piano refinishers
- Rip saw operators
- Roof truss builders
- Sawing machine operators and tenders
- Speed belt sanders
- Stave saw operators
- Tenon operators
- Trim saw operators
- Wood boring machine operators
- Wood cabinet finishers
- Wood die makers
- Wood dowel machine operators
- Wood furniture assemblers
- Wood lathe operators
- Wood planers
- Wood sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders
- Wood working assemblers
- Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders
- Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing