How long does woodworker training take in Alabama?

Most paths into the woodworker field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What apprenticeships are available for woodworkers in Alabama?

In Alabama, apprenticeships are typically registered through state apprenticeship agencies and trade union locals. See the apprenticeship section above for current contact information.

How to Become a Woodworker in Alabama (2026)

Q: How much do woodworkers earn in Alabama?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), woodworkers in Alabama earned a median annual wage of approximately $38,550. Employment concentration in Alabama is about 1.68 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for woodworkers in Alabama?

Alabama currently employs approximately 1,760 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -1.6% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated August 27, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Alabama cabinetmakers and bench carpenters earn a median annual wage of $38,550 ($18.53/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,760 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -17.4% below the national median of $46,680 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $38,550 ($18.53/hr)
25th percentile: $36,110 per year
75th percentile: $45,360 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $48,560 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $29,680 per year
Workers employed in Alabama: 1,760
Versus national median: -17.4% below the U.S. median of $46,680
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.68 - this occupation is more concentrated in Alabama than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed August 27, 2026.

Alabama employs about 1,760 woodworkers earning a median $38,550 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most woodworkers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Alabama.

Key Facts

Median wage (Alabama): $38,550/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in Alabama: 1,760 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 1.68x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: -1.6% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

Compare Woodworker Schools in Alabama

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center	59.8	Contact school for pricing	$53,022	77%	—	346 mi
2	Southern Crescent Technical College	54.3	Contact school for pricing	$47,009	55%	Yes*	148 mi
3	Central Piedmont Community College	52.6	Contact school for pricing	$48,441	Not reported	Yes*	380 mi
4	Northwest Shoals Community College	51.7	Contact school for pricing	$45,546	36%	Yes*	143 mi
5	Southern Regional Technical College	50.2	Contact school for pricing	$41,871	33%	Yes*	214 mi
6	Savannah Technical College	48.8	Contact school for pricing	$44,293	Not reported	Yes*	335 mi
7	George C Wallace Community College-Dothan	48.5	$4,980 - $9,308	$48,054	31%	Yes*	129 mi
8	Columbus Technical College	47.2	Contact school for pricing	$43,818	24%	Yes*	110 mi
9	Central Georgia Technical College	46.5	Contact school for pricing	$42,979	44%	Yes*	182 mi
10	East Arkansas Community College	44.3	Contact school for pricing	$42,176	49%	Yes*	275 mi

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Alabama employs approximately 1,760 woodworkers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $38,550 ¹. The state’s concentration of woodworker jobs is 1.68x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, woodworker employment is projected to grow -1.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 8,100 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a woodworker in Alabama, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Woodworker Wages by Metro Area in Alabama

Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters Wages by Metro Area in Alabama

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), cabinetmakers and bench carpenters wages in Alabama vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Birmingham	400	$39,692	$41,164	$30,753	$52,582
Tuscaloosa	280	$37,440	$38,490	$30,880	$48,350
Columbus	150	$36,844	$38,712	$25,380	$47,968
Huntsville	120	$45,000	$42,850	$30,873	$54,487
Decatur	120	$44,360	$45,660	$38,290	$52,000
Montgomery	100	$43,720	$40,770	$30,480	$48,320
Daphne-Fairhope-Foley	90	$41,967	$41,530	$30,480	$53,853
Auburn-Opelika	80	$39,555	$40,175	$30,730	$49,810
Dothan	70	$37,410	$37,680	$29,220	$44,780
Mobile	70	$37,180	$40,040	$27,830	$48,560
Florence-Muscle Shoals	50	$32,540	$34,550	$31,270	$42,790

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Median wage (Alabama): $38,550 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Woodworker in Alabama

How to become a woodworker in Alabama? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for woodworkers in Alabama.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do woodworkers earn in Alabama? The median annual wage for woodworkers in Alabama is $38,550 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $29,680 and experienced professionals can earn $48,560 or more ¹.

How to Become a Woodworker in Alabama

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Alabama training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Alabama that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to woodworkers in Alabama before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for woodworkers in Alabama? Alabama currently employs approximately 1,760 woodworkers ¹. Nationally, woodworker employment is projected to grow -1.6% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Alabama? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Alabama.

How much do woodworkers earn in Alabama compared to the national average? The median annual wage for woodworkers in Alabama is $38,550, which is $7,470 below the national median of $46,020 according to BLS data ¹.

In Alabama

Best Trade Schools in Alabama (2026)

Explore More Trades in Alabama

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)