Best institutions to study Wooden Boatbuilding Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to construct and repair traditional and modern wooden boats.
2 U.S. institutions graduated 28 Wooden Boatbuilding Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 48.0704, a specialization of Woodworking (CIP 48.07), and leads most directly to the Model Makers, Wood occupation (BLS SOC 51-7031).
About Wooden Boatbuilding Technology/Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to construct and repair traditional and modern wooden boats. Includes instruction in budgeting, drafting, fairing, lofting, joinery, planking, spars and rigging, and woodworking.
See also: 15.0806 - Marine Engineering Technology/Technician.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Wooden Boatbuilding Technology/Technician program prepares individuals to construct and repair both traditional and modern wooden boats. This program falls under the broader field of Woodworking and is ideal for those who have a passion for craftsmanship and the marine industry. Students will gain hands-on experience and technical knowledge essential for a career in boatbuilding.
Core coursework covers essential skills such as budgeting, drafting, fairing, lofting, joinery, planking, spars and rigging, and woodworking techniques. Students will develop abilities in critical thinking, mathematics, and effective communication, all vital for success in the field.
Credentials awarded
What Wooden Boatbuilding Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree21 graduates / yr · 1 institution75%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years7 graduates / yr · 1 institution25%
Graduates over time
Wooden Boatbuilding Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 30 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 29 |
| 2024 | 41 |
| 2025 | 28 |
CIP 48.0704 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 2 institutions for Wooden Boatbuilding Technology/Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building Port Hadlock, WAPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 21 | 90% | $28,292 |
| 2 | IYRS School of Technology & Trades Newport, RIPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 7 | 92% | $20,891 |
Offered in 2 states
Where Wooden Boatbuilding Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Woodworking programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 1 | 21 | Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building21 / yr |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 7 | IYRS School of Technology & Trades7 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 51-7031, Model Makers, Wood, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Wooden Boatbuilding Technology/Technician program can pursue careers as model makers or woodworkers. The job outlook indicates a decline of 4.5% in this field, with approximately 100 annual openings and a median wage of $51,850. A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for entry-level positions.
Career pathways for CIP 48.0704
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Model Makers, Woodprimary SOC 51-7031 | $56,550 | -4.5% Decline | ~100 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Woodworkers, All Other SOC 51-7099 | $44,530 | -4.4% Decline | ~1,800 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Wooden Boatbuilding Technology/Technician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Read blueprints, drawings, or written specifications, and consult with designers to determine sizes and shapes of patterns and required machine setups.
- Fit, fasten, and assemble wood parts together to form patterns, models, or sections, using glue, nails, dowels, bolts, screws, and other fasteners.
- Verify dimensions and contours of models during hand-forming processes, using templates and measuring devices.
- Trim, smooth, and shape surfaces, and plane, shave, file, scrape, and sand models to attain specified shapes, using hand tools.
- Plan, lay out, and draw outlines of units, sectional patterns, or full-scale mock-ups of products.
- Construct wooden models, patterns, templates, full scale mock-ups, and molds for parts of products and production tools.
Tools and technology used
Other Woodworking specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Woodworking (CIP 48.07).
Common questions
What degree do I earn from this program?+
You can earn an Associate's degree or an award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in monitoring, critical thinking, mathematics, and various woodworking techniques.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a model maker or in various woodworking roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 4.5%, with about 100 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Wooden Boatbuilding Technology/Technician?+
Wooden Boatbuilding Technology/Technician is CIP 48.0704 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Woodworking (CIP 48.07). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to construct and repair traditional and modern wooden boats. Includes instruction in budgeting, drafting, fairing, lofting, joinery, planking, spars and rigging, and woodworking.
How many institutions offer Wooden Boatbuilding Technology/Technician programs?+
2 U.S. institutions reported Wooden Boatbuilding Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 2 states, awarding 28 credentials in the year. That is 4.6% of all Woodworking graduates.
How much do Wooden Boatbuilding Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Model Makers, Wood occupation, which Wooden Boatbuilding Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $56,550 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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