Not only is woodworking fun and rewarding, it can also be profitable as well. If you’re wondering how much does a woodworker make, you’ve come to the right place. Those with woodworking skills have been making tidy profits for years sculpting up a wide range of useful household items and big ticket items like furniture as well.
Modern techniques like hammer tapping and slip sawing have made the skills of woodworking a highly specialized craft, where artisans use particular tools to create exquisite craftsmanship that can only be done by hand. In this respect they’re able to create unique and one-off pieces that stand out from mainstream items found in stores. After all there are a lot of cool things that you can make out of wood, that can earn you a tidy profit.
It’s worth noting that woodworking is quite different from other careers involving wood that are more readily linked to factory jobs. Those who make a living selling their pieces privately soon learn that it is a creative endeavour that relies largely on hand-making. Many woodworkers today have hopes of harnessing that intellectual horsepower to carve out a reputation for designing and crafting bespoke pieces.
However, just like any business starting a woodworking one is not a simple walk in the park. You need woodworking tools, knowledge, and creativity to build something beautiful that your clients can’t readily get anywhere else and they’re happy to drive out to your place to get it. Nonetheless, entering this industry is very doable and you may find yourself the only one in your local neighbourhood, that does what you do. Plus it’s really rewarding when you can turn the hobby you love into a money-making business. Check out our guide here on ‘wood projects that sell.‘
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How Much Can a Woodworker Earn?
A lot of people are surprised to learn that you can make a very good living as a woodworker. If you are skilled, professional, and have been in the business for several years, you can easily earn over $50,000 + a year. Entry-level positions start out in the low twenties and increase based on skill and experience.
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According to the US Department of Labor, woodworkers just starting out, on average earn $32 690 per year which equates to $15.72 per hour. Of course this statistic is based on an average of those getting started in the industry who are not trade qualified necessarily but do have a high school diploma or equivalent. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that in 2018 there were approximately 272,200 people employed as woodworkers and joiners in the United States.
Most of your income is going to come from making and selling furniture. You can also make a little bit from woodworking classes and teaching other people. You might even be able to create and sell designs for things like jewelry boxes or other types of decorations.
As your business grows, you may want to start employing other woodworkers to help you, which should also increase your income.
Whether it’s the beauty of a high, ornate timber, dome ceiling, or something smaller, people admire and appreciate awesome woodworking.
What does a Woodworker Do?
Woodworking is a craft that encompasses a wide range of skill sets. From the initial stages of selecting the right wood and manufacturing it to a workable product to fine details in the actual construction and finishing, those in this field must know a lot about a wide variety of topics.
Woodworkers are professionals who are skilled in a variety of areas related to working with wood. While many people can successfully complete the most basic projects, such as building a bookshelf or fence, only those with proper training and experience should attempt more complex jobs, such as cabinets or table building.
Professionals may work in a variety of settings, from manufacturing plants to furniture shops to construction companies. Their skills are often in high demand, especially in areas that have large populations or demand for more traditional artistry.
The Demand for Woodworking
There has always been a demand for wooden structures and objects, even as far back as the Stone Age. Primitive mankind used wood to build temporary shelters as well as for tools and other practical uses including furniture. Obviously the world has come a long way since then, but our love of timber has stood the test of time. Who doesn’t love to observe an ornate carvings in oak
How to Get Started in Woodworking
Running your own business is not just a dream for the wealthy, but increasingly a reality for ordinary folks with creativity, skills, and passion—people like you. Before you commence your woodworking business, you need to do some homework to assess whether your efforts will be worth your investment of both time and money.
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Understand the Risks
Know what you are getting yourself into. If you’re thinking of starting a woodworking business, you have a choice. You can imagine how the whole thing will work from the outside, and you can imagine all the good things it will do for you, like making your life easier, your finances better, or even helping you meet your hobbies and commitments. But you must be aware of your risks, of your options, of the things that may change, of the fact there is no real guarantee. If your commitment is shaken, it is not unreasonable to expect that your work will come apart, the pieces of your ideas will fall apart, and your business may implode and take you with it.
Know What Your Income Goals Are
Income goals are about how much you think you’ll get from your business. A lot of the work we do for our jobs is labor-intensive. A lot of our income is supplemental, and as a businessperson, you’ll want to determine your income priorities. When planning what your income will be, you’ll want to first understand your business potential, and what it entails. Your income is also heavily dependent on your productivity, and what skills you can draw on.
Consider your Location
Just like with any other business, the location of your woodworking business is going to be very important.
You will need to find a place that has foot traffic but also enough room for you to work. Many woodworkers start out in their garages or in their backyards and move to storefronts when they are ready.
Of course, this all depends on what you hope to achieve with your woodworking business.
Purchase the Right Equipment
One of the most expensive parts of starting a woodworking business is going to be your equipment. There are many tools a woodworker should own, including a cordless drill, circular saw and miter saw, with more expensive pieces like a table saw often purchased down the track. As there are so many tools, it’s always good to start with a few basics then add to your collection as finances permit. Check out our list on ‘tools used by carpenters with names’ as a reference guide.
Another option is to consider buying second hand equipment – and while you can always go down this route, it can be costly as there are no warranties to fall back on if your new power saw breaks down unexpectedly.
Of course, you can always start smaller with your equipment if you don’t have a ton of money to spend (or borrow tools from a trusted friend or family member). Many people build their businesses slowly and purchase more tools as they can afford them. Check out our article, ‘different types of hand tools and their uses’ as a useful guide.
You will also need an area that is open for people to see your work and shop like a shed or garage.
Classes and Training
If you are not very experienced in woodworking, it might be a good idea to take a few classes or get some training under your belt before you open up shop. There are several different types of training that you can take, and many of them are inexpensive or even free. For example, you might be able to get a job working for a local woodworking company or even at a school or college. This will allow you to learn from the people that are already in the industry and give you the training that you need to get started.
If you can’t find any jobs like this in your area, you might want to consider going to school for something like engineering or architecture. This will give you a background in math and other important subjects that can help you out tremendously.
You might also want to take some woodworking classes at your local college or community center. These classes are going to be cheaper than getting a formal degree, but they are still going to teach you many valuable skills that can be used in your woodworking business. For certification and training of woodworking professionals, check out the Woodworking Career Alliance of North America for news and events.
No matter what, you are going to need some kind of training before you begin your woodworking business. Did you know the Home Depot also offers free workshops in their stores? Classes are offered for free for adults and children. Also, Fine Woodworking Magazine lists a helpful directory of woodworking schools that are worth checking out.
Marketing and Advertising
Once you have your equipment and tools, your training, and your open area to work in, your next step is going to be marketing and advertising. No one is just going to come waltzing into your store or place of business. You are going to have to get the word out about what you do.
There are many different ways that you can do this, such as placing ads in the paper, putting up fliers, doing demonstrations, joining clubs and organizations, and even taking out online ads.
It’s really up to you on how you want to market your business. Some people swear by one method, while others get great results from something else. You will have to experiment a little to see what works for you and your woodworking business.
One thing that you want to avoid is putting all of your eggs in one basket. For example, if you only advertise in the paper, and that doesn’t get the results that you want, you are going to feel pretty discouraged. It’s always a good idea to have several different marketing techniques so that you can adjust if one isn’t working as well as you hoped.
Marketing and advertising is really an ongoing process. You don’t create a bunch of fliers and put them out there and then forget about it. You need to constantly be doing something to let people know that you are in business. The good news is that many of the techniques are very cheap or even free, so virtually anyone can do it.
So How Much Does a Woodworker Make?
In some respects, it is like trying to answer how long is a piece of string. Really, the sky is the limit for those with skills, drive, and some know how in terms of marketing. If you’re just getting started and want to find out what is really possible, it may be worthwhile to access the Wood Profits Guide, as it’s the ultimate directory in turning your hobby into a tidy profit.
Where to from here?
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