Roles and missions of the cabinetmaker
The cabinetmaker is a craftsman specialized in the manufacture, restoration and repair of wooden furniture and objects. It's a highly technical profession, requiring excellent mastery of woodworking techniques and carpentry tools. The main roles and missions of a cabinetmaker are as follows:
Design and manufacture furniture and wooden objects to customer specifications.
Restore and repair old and damaged wooden furniture and objects.
Choosing and selecting the appropriate wood for each project.
Manufacturing missing or damaged parts, using traditional methods and hand or power tools.
Finishing products by applying coats of varnish, paint and stain.
Use numerically controlled tools and machines to cut, plane, drill, carve and saw wood.
Creating drawings and plans using computers and specialized software.
Determining the most appropriate wood treatment methods to achieve the desired results.
Teach the use of tools and machines to apprentices and trainees.
Maintain workshop tools and machines.
Organize various workshop tasks.
Maintain and repair equipment, tools and machines.
Salary and career development for cabinetmakers
A cabinetmaker's salary can vary considerably, depending on experience and region. As a general rule, cabinetmakers in France can expect a gross annual income of between €24,000 and €45,000. Here are the gross annual salary trends in France, by years of experience:
0 to 2 years: from 24,000 to 28,000 euros
2 to 5 years: from 28,000 to 35,000 euros
5 to 10 years: from 35,000 to 40,000 euros
10 to 15 years: from 40,000 to 45,000 euros
Over 15 years: from 45,000 to 55,000 euros
Cabinetmakers also have the opportunity to take on greater responsibilities by moving into management, design and manufacturing positions. Here are 5 possible career paths for cabinetmakers:
Production manager
Product designer
Experienced joiner
Manufacturing engineer
Operations manager