Best colleges for Woodworking
Ranked by graduate earnings
Compare 52 U.S. colleges offering Woodworking by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 22 states.
Woodworking programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,305 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 48.07 and the Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing occupation (BLS SOC).
About Woodworking programs
The Woodworking program focuses on the precision production of wood products, covering various specializations such as furniture design, cabinetmaking, and wooden boatbuilding. This program is designed for individuals interested in mastering the skills necessary for a career in woodworking and related fields. Students will engage in both theoretical and practical learning to develop their craftsmanship and technical abilities.
In the Woodworking program, students will gain essential skills in monitoring, critical thinking, and mathematics, alongside hands-on experience with woodworking machinery. Coursework includes learning about production processes, safety standards, and the properties of wood, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the woodworking industry.
Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island School of Design Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $19,151 | 31 | 89% | $41,764 | $26,912 |
| 2 | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Lancaster, PA Public · Associate degree Small program | $38,305 | 13 | 71% | — | $9,373 |
Specializations within Woodworking
5 of the 5 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 48.07 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Cabinetmaking and MillworkCIP 48.0703483 graduates / yr37 institutions17 states
- Furniture Design and ManufacturingCIP 48.0702partial data56 graduates / yr7 institutions5 states
- WoodworkingCIP 48.0701partial data37 graduates / yr5 institutions5 states
- Wooden Boatbuilding Technology/CIP 48.0704
Technician New in CIP 2020limited data28 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states - WoodworkingCIP 48.0799limited data6 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states
Offered across 22 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 4 | $38,305 | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology |
| Rhode Islandlimited | 2 | $19,151 | Rhode Island School of Design |
| Alabamalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Arizonalimited | 1 | — | — |
| California | 10 | — | — |
| Coloradolimited | 1 | — | — |
| Floridalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Georgia | 3 | — | — |
| Idaholimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Mainelimited | 2 | — | — |
| Massachusettslimited | 2 | — | — |
| Minnesota | 3 | — | — |
| Nebraskalimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Mexicolimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Yorklimited | 2 | — | — |
| North Carolinalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Texaslimited | 2 | — | — |
| Utahlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Washingtonlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Wisconsin | 6 | — | — |
| New Jerseylimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 51-7042, Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Woodworking program can pursue various careers in the woodworking sector, with an annual opening of approximately 6,400 positions. The median wage for woodworking professionals is around $40,440. However, the industry is projected to experience a decline of 1.8%, highlighting the importance of skill development and adaptability in this field.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Woodworking
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 48.07.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 48.07 (Woodworking) maps to 7 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 51-7011 | Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters |
| 51-7021 | Furniture Finishers |
| 51-7031 | Model Makers, Wood |
| 51-7032 | Patternmakers, Wood |
| 51-7041 | Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood |
| 51-7042 | Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawingprimary |
| 51-7099 | Woodworkers, All Other |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Woodworking programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Set up, program, operate, or tend computerized or manual woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, or wood-nailing machines.
- Examine finished workpieces for smoothness, shape, angle, depth-of-cut, or conformity to specifications and verify dimensions, visually and using hands, rules, calipers, templates, or gauges.
- Start machines, adjust controls, and make trial cuts to ensure that machinery is operating properly.
- Monitor operation of machines and make adjustments to correct problems and ensure conformance to specifications.
- Examine raw woodstock for defects and to ensure conformity to size and other specification standards.
- Adjust machine tables or cutting devices and set controls on machines to produce specified cuts or operations.
Common questions
What specializations are available in the Woodworking program?+
The program offers specializations such as General Woodworking, Furniture Design and Manufacturing, Cabinetmaking and Millwork, Wooden Boatbuilding Technology, and more.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
Students will develop skills in monitoring, critical thinking, mathematics, and hands-on operation of woodworking machines.
What is the job outlook for woodworking careers?+
The job outlook indicates a decline of 1.8%, with about 6,400 annual openings in the field.
What is the typical education required for a career in woodworking?+
Most positions in woodworking require a high school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Woodworking graduates earn?+
Woodworking graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,305, College Scorecard (2019); the Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing occupation pays about $43,570 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Woodworking?+
Woodworking maps to CIP 48.07 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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