How long does woodworker training take in South Carolina?

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 South Carolina?

In South Carolina, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Apprenticeship South Carolina, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details.

How to Become a Woodworker in South Carolina (2026)

Q: How much do woodworkers earn in South Carolina?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), woodworkers in South Carolina earned a median annual wage of approximately $47,680. Employment concentration in South Carolina is roughly 0.62 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for woodworkers in South Carolina?

South Carolina currently employs approximately 710 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

South Carolina cabinetmakers and bench carpenters earn a median annual wage of $47,680 ($22.92/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 710 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 2.1% above the national median of $46,680 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $47,680 ($22.92/hr)
25th percentile: $38,030 per year
75th percentile: $51,540 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $61,350 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $34,320 per year
Workers employed in South Carolina: 710
Versus national median: 2.1% above the U.S. median of $46,680
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.62 - this occupation is less concentrated in South Carolina than the national average

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

South Carolina employs about 710 woodworkers earning a median $47,680 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most woodworkers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in South Carolina.

Key Facts

Median wage (South Carolina): $47,680/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in South Carolina: 710 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 0.62x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: -1.6% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

Compare Woodworker Schools in South Carolina

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	Central Carolina Community College	60.6	Contact school for pricing	$42,844	Not reported	Yes*	151 mi
2	Southern Crescent Technical College	54.3	Contact school for pricing	$47,009	55%	Yes*	206 mi
3	Central Piedmont Community College	52.6	Contact school for pricing	$48,441	Not reported	Yes*	103 mi
4	Northwest Shoals Community College	51.7	Contact school for pricing	$45,546	36%	Yes*	402 mi
5	Southern Regional Technical College	50.2	Contact school for pricing	$41,871	33%	Yes*	272 mi
6	Savannah Technical College	48.8	Contact school for pricing	$44,293	Not reported	Yes*	120 mi
7	George C Wallace Community College-Dothan	48.5	$4,980 - $9,308	$48,054	31%	Yes*	321 mi
8	Columbus Technical College	47.2	Contact school for pricing	$43,818	24%	Yes*	257 mi
9	Central Georgia Technical College	46.5	Contact school for pricing	$42,979	44%	Yes*	188 mi
10	Hocking College	44.3	Contact school for pricing	$44,764	Not reported	Yes*	403 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.

South Carolina employs approximately 710 woodworkers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $47,680 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 South Carolina, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Woodworker Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina

Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia	1,040	$45,149	$46,107	$36,061	$57,018
Greenville-Anderson-Greer	260	$44,042	$43,994	$33,332	$55,240
Charleston-North Charleston	210	$46,120	$47,463	$34,109	$59,477
Augusta-Richmond County	180	$42,204	$42,218	$27,898	$56,053
Columbia	140	$44,890	$45,090	$31,000	$58,345
Florence	140	$45,000	$43,360	$36,210	$51,750
Spartanburg	50	$36,250	$35,160	$27,760	$45,410
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal	30	$51,870	$51,650	$31,680	$63,230
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach	30	$46,410	$47,750	$30,430	$68,130

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 (South Carolina): $47,680 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Woodworker in South Carolina

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

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 South Carolina? The median annual wage for woodworkers in South Carolina is $47,680 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $34,320 and experienced professionals can earn $61,350 or more ¹.

How to Become a Woodworker in South Carolina

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina? South Carolina currently employs approximately 710 woodworkers ¹. Nationally, woodworker employment is projected to grow -1.6% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

How much do woodworkers earn in South Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for woodworkers in South Carolina is $47,680, which is $1,660 above the national median of $46,020 according to BLS data ¹.

In South Carolina

Best Trade Schools in South Carolina (2026)

Explore More Trades in South Carolina

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)