How to Become a Woodworker in California (2026)
California employs about 7,360 woodworkers earning a median $49,030 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most woodworkers train through an approved program before entering the field in California.
Compare Woodworker Schools in California
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cerritos College | 56.3 | Contact school for pricing | $54,818 | 30% | Yes* | 134 mi |
| 2 | Santiago Canyon College | 56.1 | Contact school for pricing | $55,988 | 47% | — | 151 mi |
| 3 | Palomar College | 55.8 | Contact school for pricing | $82,130 | Not reported | Yes* | 207 mi |
| 4 | Fullerton College | 52.2 | Contact school for pricing | $52,754 | 34% | — | 141 mi |
| 5 | American River College | 51.4 | Contact school for pricing | $74,069 | 35% | Yes* | 244 mi |
| 6 | El Camino Community College District | 51.4 | Contact school for pricing | $60,046 | 39% | — | 127 mi |
| 7 | GateWay Community College | 49.9 | Contact school for pricing | $70,264 | 24% | Yes* | 445 mi |
| 8 | Long Beach City College | 43.6 | Contact school for pricing | $51,407 | 28% | — | 133 mi |
| 9 | College of the Redwoods | 42.3 | $1,198 - $15,504 | $37,636 | 30% | Yes* | 449 mi |
| 10 | Mendocino College | 28.3 | Contact school for pricing | $59,296 | 28% | — | 330 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.
California employs approximately 7,360 woodworkers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $49,030 1. 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 California, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school or community college
- Typical timeline: varies by program; confirm with the school
- Median wage (California): $49,030 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Woodworker in California
How to become a Woodworker in California? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for woodworkers in California.
How long does it take? woodworker training length in California varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.
What do woodworkers earn in California? The median annual wage for woodworkers in California is $49,030 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,740 and experienced professionals can earn $67,780 or more 1.
How to Become a Woodworker in California
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most California training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved woodworker program in California that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
- 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 California before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Woodworker Wages by Metro Area in California
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters Wages by Metro Area in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), cabinetmakers and bench carpenters wages in California vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 3,230 | $47,667 | $50,336 | $37,823 | $63,507 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 1,240 | $46,465 | $49,092 | $38,166 | $60,659 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 1,100 | $49,661 | $52,559 | $39,287 | $70,214 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 820 | $57,090 | $59,339 | $45,715 | $76,216 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 660 | $47,950 | $52,350 | $39,400 | $65,480 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 380 | $57,373 | $58,948 | $45,386 | $75,553 |
| Modesto | 250 | $44,850 | $47,265 | $37,671 | $59,891 |
| Stockton-Lodi | 250 | $47,877 | $50,467 | $37,255 | $62,776 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | 210 | $49,854 | $52,970 | $41,662 | $65,962 |
| Fresno | 190 | $44,292 | $45,708 | $36,455 | $55,332 |
| Redding | 160 | $50,630 | $49,030 | $35,130 | $55,270 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | 140 | $48,850 | $51,940 | $39,360 | $64,440 |
| Chico | 130 | $47,773 | $48,749 | $38,311 | $58,768 |
| Vallejo | 110 | $53,759 | $53,884 | $43,898 | $67,217 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | 100 | $50,840 | $57,149 | $46,484 | $76,752 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | 80 | $48,130 | $53,730 | $39,350 | $74,090 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | 70 | $46,080 | $48,530 | $36,550 | $62,400 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | 50 | $48,460 | $53,130 | $37,430 | $73,480 |
| Yuba City | 50 | $37,910 | $41,290 | $37,910 | $55,430 |
| Salinas | 30 | $47,250 | $48,980 | $37,050 | $58,390 |
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 .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for woodworkers in California? California currently employs approximately 7,360 woodworkers 1. Nationally, woodworker employment is projected to grow -1.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in California? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in California.
How much do woodworkers earn in California compared to the national average? The median annual wage for woodworkers in California is $49,030, which is $3,010 above the national median of $46,020 according to BLS data 1.
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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) |