Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters

Specific duties and responsibilities regularly performed in this occupation.

• Verify dimensions or check the quality or fit of pieces to ensure adherence to specifications.85
• Produce or assemble components of articles, such as store fixtures, office equipment, cabinets, or high-grade furniture.84
• Design furniture, using computer-aided drawing programs.84
• Program computers to operate machinery.84
• Trim, sand, or scrape surfaces or joints to prepare articles for finishing.83
• Measure and mark dimensions of parts on paper or lumber stock prior to cutting, following blueprints, to ensure a tight fit and quality product.83
• Cut timber to the right size, and shape and trim parts of joints to ensure a snug fit, using hand tools, such as planes, chisels, or wood files.83
• Match materials for color, grain, or texture, giving attention to knots or other features of the wood.83
• Set up or operate machines, including power saws, jointers, mortisers, tenoners, molders, or shapers, to cut, mold, or shape woodstock or wood substitutes.82
• Establish the specifications of articles to be constructed or repaired, or plan the methods or operations for shaping or assembling parts, based on blueprints, drawings, diagrams, or oral or written instructions.81
• Bore holes for insertion of screws or dowels, by hand or using boring machines.80
• Attach parts or subassemblies together to form completed units, using glue, dowels, nails, screws, or clamps.80

Developed capacities that facilitate learning or the more rapid acquisition of knowledge.

• Operations Monitoring60

  Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

• Quality Control Analysis56

  Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

• Judgment and Decision Making50

  Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

• Monitoring50

  Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

• Operation and Control50

  Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

• Time Management50

  Managing one's own time and the time of others.

• Complex Problem Solving47

  Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

• Operations Analysis47

  Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.

• Reading Comprehension47

  Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

• Speaking47

  Talking to others to convey information effectively.

• Troubleshooting47

  Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

• Active Listening44

  Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Organized sets of principles and facts that apply in general domains.

• Building and Construction56

  Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

• Mathematics54

  Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

• Production and Processing49

  Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

• Design48

  Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

• Mechanical48

  Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

• Administration and Management41

  Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

• Engineering and Technology39

  Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

• Education and Training35

  Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

• Physics34

  Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.

• English Language29

  Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

• Computers and Electronics28

  Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

• Administrative26

  Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

Enduring attributes of the individual that influence performance.

• Control Precision75

  The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

• Manual Dexterity75

  The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

• Arm-Hand Steadiness72

  The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

• Finger Dexterity72

  The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

• Near Vision72

  The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• Visualization69

  The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

• Multilimb Coordination66

  The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

• Trunk Strength63

  The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.

• Extent Flexibility53

  The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

• Auditory Attention50

  The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.

• Category Flexibility50

  The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

• Deductive Reasoning50

  The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

General types of job behaviors occurring on multiple jobs.

• Controlling Machines and Processes81

  Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

• Handling and Moving Objects81

  Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates74

  Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials70

  Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

• Getting Information67

  Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

• Performing General Physical Activities64

  Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings63

  Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events59

  Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems59

  Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment59

  Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People56

  Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge56

  Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Personal characteristics that can affect how well someone performs a job.

• Attention to Detail86

  A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.

• Dependability71

  A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

• Cautiousness59

  A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related decisions or doing work.

• Perseverance46

  A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in the face of difficult circumstances or obstacles at work.

• Achievement Orientation42

  A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, set high work-related standards, and exert high effort toward meeting those goals and standards.

• Integrity31

  A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

• Innovation27

  A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.

• Self-Control23

  A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in response to criticism or difficult situations at work.

• Stress Tolerance21

  A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.

• Self-Confidence17

  A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control one's work-related outcomes.

• Intellectual Curiosity16

  A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep understanding of work-related subjects.

• Initiative14

  A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may fall outside of one's required work role.

Holland's six occupational interest types (RIASEC) this work tends to attract.

• Realistic100

  Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

• Conventional40

  Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

• Artistic25

  Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

• Investigative18

  Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

• Enterprising4

  Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

• Social2

  Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work.

• Spend Time Standing

  • Continually or almost continually99%

• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

  • Continually or almost continually95%

• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

  • Every day65%
  • Once a week or more but not every day34%

• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

  • Extremely important54%
  • Very important36%

• Exposed to Contaminants

• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

• Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

  • Never14%

• Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

  • More than half the time17%

• Contact With Others

  • Constant contact with others32%
  • Contact with others most of the time15%

• Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

  • A lot of freedom46%
  • Some freedom15%
  • Very little freedom13%
  • No freedom16%

• Freedom to Make Decisions

  • Some freedom38%
  • Very little freedom23%

• Level of Competition

  • Moderately competitive21%
  • Slightly competitive13%

Education levels O*NET survey respondents in this occupation most often reported having.

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Post-secondary certificate
• Less than high school diploma

Specific software and technology tools commonly used on the job.

• Spreadsheet software

  Microsoft Excel

• Electronic mail software

  Microsoft Outlook

• Facilities management software

  Computerized maintenance management system CMMS

• Operating system software

  Microsoft Windows

• Computer aided design CAD software

  Autodesk AutoCAD

• Project management software

  Computer estimation software

Organizations related to this occupation, such as industry and licensing bodies.

• Architectural Woodwork Institute
• Association for Manufacturing Technology
• Fabricators and Manufacturers Association
• National Tooling and Machining Association
• Woodworking Machinery Industry Association

Occupations that call for similar work and worker requirements.

• Miscellaneous woodworkers, including model makers and patternmakers
• Furniture Finishers
• Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
• Carpenters
• Miscellaneous woodworkers, including model makers and patternmakers
• Upholsterers
• Miscellaneous metal workers and plastic workers, including multiple machine tool setters
• Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
• Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
• Model makers, patternmakers, and molding machine setters, metal and plastic
• Crushing, Grinding, Polishing, Mixing, and Blending Workers
• Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
• Tool and Die Makers
• Sheet Metal Workers
• Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
• Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood
• Helpers, Construction Trades
• Model makers, patternmakers, and molding machine setters, metal and plastic
• Machine tool cutting setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
• Boilermakers

More specific, granular versions of the Work Activities above.

• Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
• Assemble wood products.
• Design furniture.
• Operate computers or computerized equipment.
• Program equipment to perform production tasks.
• Trim excess material from workpieces.
• Compare physical characteristics of materials or products to specifications or standards.
• Cut industrial materials in preparation for fabrication or processing.
• Measure materials to mark reference points, cutting lines, or other indicators.
• Operate woodworking equipment.
• Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
• Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.

Registered apprenticeship program titles associated with this occupation.

• Accordion Maker
• Cabinetmaker
• Carver, Hand
• Harpsichord Maker
• Hat Block Maker (Woodwork)
• Last-Model Maker
• Machinist, Wood
• Pipe Organ Builder
• Violin Maker, Hand