How to Become a Woodworker in Mississippi (2026)
Mississippi employs about 580 woodworkers earning a median $38,800 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most woodworkers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Mississippi.
Key Facts
- Median wage (Mississippi): $38,800/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Employed in Mississippi: 580 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Location quotient: 1.01x 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 Mississippi
| # | 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% | — | 311 mi |
| 2 | Southern Oklahoma Technology Center | 54.5 | Contact school for pricing | $40,071 | 76% | — | 448 mi |
| 3 | Southern Crescent Technical College | 54.3 | Contact school for pricing | $47,009 | 55% | Yes* | 303 mi |
| 4 | Lee College | 53.0 | Contact school for pricing | $57,434 | Not reported | — | 386 mi |
| 5 | Northwest Shoals Community College | 51.7 | Contact school for pricing | $45,546 | 36% | Yes* | 171 mi |
| 6 | Southern Regional Technical College | 50.2 | Contact school for pricing | $41,871 | 33% | Yes* | 351 mi |
| 7 | George C Wallace Community College-Dothan | 48.5 | $4,980 - $9,308 | $48,054 | 31% | Yes* | 256 mi |
| 8 | Columbus Technical College | 47.2 | Contact school for pricing | $43,818 | 24% | Yes* | 265 mi |
| 9 | Central Georgia Technical College | 46.5 | Contact school for pricing | $42,979 | 44% | Yes* | 338 mi |
| 10 | East Arkansas Community College | 44.3 | Contact school for pricing | $42,176 | 49% | Yes* | 173 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.
Mississippi employs approximately 580 woodworkers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $38,800 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 Mississippi, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Woodworker Wages by Metro Area in Mississippi
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters Wages by Metro Area in Mississippi
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), cabinetmakers and bench carpenters wages in Mississippi vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | 320 | $41,861 | $43,149 | $31,765 | $54,562 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi | 80 | $38,799 | $40,452 | $27,718 | $55,450 |
| Jackson | 60 | $37,470 | $38,370 | $29,590 | $60,830 |
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 (Mississippi): $38,800 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Woodworker in Mississippi
How to become a woodworker in Mississippi? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for woodworkers in Mississippi.
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 Mississippi? The median annual wage for woodworkers in Mississippi is $38,800 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $23,750 and experienced professionals can earn $61,790 or more 1.
How to Become a Woodworker in Mississippi
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi? Mississippi currently employs approximately 580 woodworkers 1. Nationally, woodworker employment is projected to grow -1.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Mississippi? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Mississippi.
How much do woodworkers earn in Mississippi compared to the national average? The median annual wage for woodworkers in Mississippi is $38,800, which is $7,220 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) |