A wood worker has a variety of different skills. Some of these skills include cabinet-making, wood carving, joinery, carpentry, and woodturning. Others include furniture-making and other types of construction. This career is often very rewarding and provides a great deal of personal satisfaction. There are also several ways you can make money as a wood worker.
Job duties
The job duties of a woodworker include designing, crafting, and finishing wood products. The work involves using tools and machinery such as band saws, sanders, and routers. Woodworkers use these tools to cut and shape wood parts, join them together, and add fasteners. They also use sandpaper to smooth surfaces.
Many woodworkers work alone or with a team. They may work long hours, if they have deadlines to meet. These workers often work in unsanitary conditions and are required to wear protective gear. The work can be demanding and can cause injuries. Most woodworkers work full-time during business hours.
Woodworkers work with various types of wood, including hardwood and synthetic materials. They use various types of tools and can read blueprints to create different types of products. They also need to be able to make precise measurements and use specialized equipment. A high school education is usually required, but experience is also helpful. After a few years, woodworkers may open their own shop. Some even become teachers or sell woodworking machinery.
As a woodworker, you need to have a steady hand and good hand-eye coordination. You also need to have a good understanding of basic math and computer skills. In addition, you should be good at analyzing patterns and visualizing three-dimensional objects. You should also be able to operate hand tools and assemble wooden items.
Education required
While most woodworkers get on-the-job training, a formal education can be beneficial. Some vocational and community colleges offer courses on woodworking. Others offer courses in art or drafting. Apprenticeships are another good way to get hands-on experience. These programs typically last three to five years and can help aspiring woodworkers gain experience and develop their skills. They can also help them build a network.
Woodworkers spend a lot of time calculating and measuring materials. They will also need to learn algebra and geometry to solve calculations. Additionally, they must know how to add, subtract, and multiply. The ability to solve equations is critical to the work they do. Woodworkers need to understand how materials work together.
Those who want to work with wood will need to learn about the characteristics of various woods. They will also need to know how to use finishing materials. Additionally, they need to have a strong hand and good hand-eye coordination. They should also be mechanically inclined and be familiar with CAD software and word processing. An education in woodworking will prepare you to work with various hand tools and handle different kinds of wood.
While some jobs can be obtained on the job, most employers look for applicants who have a formal education. An associate’s degree in woodworking is the most common educational level for woodworkers. With this level of education, only 0.7% of woodworkers have a college degree.
Salary
Salary for woodworkers is dependent on location and experience. The highest paying states for woodworkers include Washington, Pennsylvania, and California. In other states, wages for woodworkers are much lower. However, there are several ways to improve pay. In addition to changing employers, woodworkers can also earn more by obtaining an advanced degree. This will increase their earning potential as well as their chances of promotion. Woodworkers can also earn more by managing junior workers.
In 2018, 272,200 people worked as woodworkers. These jobs included cabinetmakers, furniture finishers, and woodworking machine setters. Woodworkers who were employed by manufacturers of wood products and furniture made a median yearly wage of $35,790. Bench carpenters, meanwhile, earned a median annual salary of $30,410.
Woodworkers typically work indoors in climate-controlled shops, where they require physical strength to use power tools and machinery. They also must be vigilant about health and safety, since they’re frequently exposed to fumes from paint, varnish, and stain. Furthermore, woodworkers stand for long periods of time, which can lead to joint pain.
In New York City, the average woodworker makes between $17,930 and $37,760 per year. The middle 50% of woodworkers earn $23,960, while the top 75% of workers earn $37,760. Salary for woodworkers varies widely by location and experience.
