Furniture Maker

Typical Salary

£14,000 To £30,000

Typical Hours

42 to 44 a week

evenings / weekends on shifts

How To Become a Furniture Maker

You can get into this job through:

a college course
an apprenticeship
applying directly

College / University

You could do a college course to get some of the skills needed for this job. Courses include:

Level 2 Diploma in Furniture Making
Level 2 Diploma in Carpentry and Joinery
Level 3 Diploma in Wood Machining

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You could do an intermediate apprenticeship in furniture manufacturing, wood products or carpentry and joinery.

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

You could apply for jobs if you have experience or qualifications in furniture or cabinet making, or carpentry. Employers often value skills and experience over qualifications.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

to be thorough and pay attention to detail
design skills and knowledge
the ability to work well with others
the ability to work well with your hands
knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
knowledge of maths
the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
the ability to analyse quality or performance
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

You'll work mainly with wood but you'll also use metals, plastics and other materials. In your day-to-day tasks could:

work out what to do from technical drawings
cut and shape materials with hand and machine tools
create designs for furniture on paper and on computer
estimate the quantity and type of materials needed
assemble items
add parts like brackets, hinges, handles and locks
apply finishes like polishes and varnishes
restore antiques or repairing damaged furniture

Working Environment

You could work in a workshop or in a factory.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career Path & Progression

With experience, you could become a workshop supervisor or quality control inspector. With further training, you could move into furniture design.

In larger firms, you could work in estimating, retail buying, sales or training.

You could also start your own business and specialise in hand-crafted furniture or restoring antique items.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Professional and industry bodies

You can join The Furniture Makers' Company for professional recognition and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about craft careers from Discover Creative Careers.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.