How to Become a Woodworker in Kansas (2026)
Kansas employs about 1,340 woodworkers earning a median $41,350 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most woodworkers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Kansas.
Key Facts
- Median wage (Kansas): $41,350/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Employed in Kansas: 1,340 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Location quotient: 1.88x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Projected growth: -1.6% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
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Compare Woodworker Schools in Kansas
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washburn Institute of Technology | 71.0 | Contact school for pricing | $56,774 | 66% | Yes* | 86 mi |
| 2 | Northwood Technical College | 66.6 | Contact school for pricing | $49,705 | 54% | Yes* | 562 mi |
| 3 | Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center | 59.8 | Contact school for pricing | $53,022 | 77% | — | 419 mi |
| 4 | Madison Area Technical College | 59.1 | Contact school for pricing | $55,207 | 28% | Yes* | 522 mi |
| 5 | Hennepin Technical College | 58.9 | $5,940 - $16,032 | $59,906 | 43% | Yes* | 502 mi |
| 6 | Western Technical College | 56.2 | Contact school for pricing | $53,114 | 36% | Yes* | 484 mi |
| 7 | Southeast Community College Area | 55.6 | Contact school for pricing | $54,277 | 36% | Yes* | 170 mi |
| 8 | Southern Oklahoma Technology Center | 54.5 | Contact school for pricing | $40,071 | 76% | — | 290 mi |
| 9 | Pioneer Technology Center | 54.4 | Contact school for pricing | $37,175 | 73% | — | 114 mi |
| 10 | Saint Paul College | 48.2 | Contact school for pricing | $52,870 | 36% | Yes* | 498 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.
Kansas employs approximately 1,340 woodworkers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $41,350 1. The state’s concentration of woodworker jobs is 1.88x 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 Kansas, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Woodworker Wages by Metro Area in Kansas
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters Wages by Metro Area in Kansas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), cabinetmakers and bench carpenters wages in Kansas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | 620 | $46,579 | $47,372 | $36,602 | $59,135 |
| Wichita | 120 | $46,260 | $46,360 | $39,430 | $55,700 |
| Joplin | 100 | $44,490 | $44,190 | $34,330 | $52,000 |
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 (Kansas): $41,350 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Woodworker in Kansas
How to become a woodworker in Kansas? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for woodworkers in Kansas.
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 Kansas? The median annual wage for woodworkers in Kansas is $41,350 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,970 and experienced professionals can earn $53,040 or more 1.
How to Become a Woodworker in Kansas
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Kansas 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 Kansas 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 Kansas 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 Kansas? Kansas currently employs approximately 1,340 woodworkers 1. Nationally, woodworker employment is projected to grow -1.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Kansas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Kansas.
How much do woodworkers earn in Kansas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for woodworkers in Kansas is $41,350, which is $4,670 below 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) |