How long does woodworker training take in Washington?

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 Washington?

In Washington, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Washington State of Labor and Industry - Apprenticeship, 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 Washington (2026)

Q: How much do woodworkers earn in Washington?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), woodworkers in Washington earned a median annual wage of approximately $48,710. Employment concentration in Washington is roughly 0.77 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 Washington?

Washington currently employs approximately 1,350 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

Washington cabinetmakers and bench carpenters earn a median annual wage of $48,710 ($23.42/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,350 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 4.3% above the national median of $46,680 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $48,710 ($23.42/hr)
25th percentile: $45,660 per year
75th percentile: $59,790 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $66,570 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $39,590 per year
Workers employed in Washington: 1,350
Versus national median: 4.3% above the U.S. median of $46,680
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.77 - this occupation is less concentrated in Washington than the national average

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

Washington employs about 1,350 woodworkers earning a median $48,710 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most woodworkers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Washington.

Key Facts

Median wage (Washington): $48,710/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in Washington: 1,350 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 0.77x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: -1.6% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

Compare Woodworker Schools in Washington

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	Utah Valley University	80.2	Contact school for pricing	$66,978	43%	Yes*	664 mi
2	College of Southern Idaho	68.2	Contact school for pricing	$46,129	34%	Yes*	451 mi
3	Bates Technical College	65.2	$6,027 - $18,837	Not reported	43%	Yes*	62 mi
4	Seattle Central College	55.0	Contact school for pricing	$60,072	31%	—	66 mi
5	Salt Lake Community College	51.6	Contact school for pricing	$55,279	29%	Yes*	636 mi
6	American River College	51.4	Contact school for pricing	$74,069	35%	Yes*	582 mi
7	College of the Redwoods	42.3	$1,198 - $15,504	$37,636	30%	Yes*	458 mi
8	Mendocino College	28.3	Contact school for pricing	$59,296	28%	—	554 mi
9	Laney College	17.6	Contact school for pricing	$50,151	34%	—	643 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.

Washington employs approximately 1,350 woodworkers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,710 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 Washington, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Woodworker Wages by Metro Area in Washington

Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters Wages by Metro Area in Washington

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro	1,730	$49,598	$50,655	$38,924	$62,016
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	970	$55,943	$55,350	$43,278	$66,575
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria	840	$53,790	$54,386	$37,852	$72,064
Spokane-Spokane Valley	290	$46,003	$46,874	$37,374	$59,018
Longview-Kelso	180	$60,100	$56,090	$46,340	$62,030
Bellingham	160	$47,224	$49,059	$41,304	$61,802
Mount Vernon-Anacortes	140	$52,096	$53,757	$38,349	$67,016
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard	70	$56,030	$62,800	$46,750	$88,730
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater	50	$51,110	$54,450	$45,760	$68,640

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 (Washington): $48,710 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Woodworker in Washington

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

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 Washington? The median annual wage for woodworkers in Washington is $48,710 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,590 and experienced professionals can earn $66,570 or more ¹.

How to Become a Woodworker in Washington

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington? Washington currently employs approximately 1,350 woodworkers ¹. Nationally, woodworker employment is projected to grow -1.6% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

How much do woodworkers earn in Washington compared to the national average? The median annual wage for woodworkers in Washington is $48,710, which is $2,690 above the national median of $46,020 according to BLS data ¹.

In Washington

Best Trade Schools in Washington (2026)

Explore More Trades in Washington

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)