Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters salary in California
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters in California earn a median of $49,030 a year ($23.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,360 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,780 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $46,680. California ranks 14th of 49 states for cabinetmakers and bench carpenters pay. There are 0.40 cabinetmakers and bench carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cabinetmakers and bench carpenters in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,740 | $18.62 |
| 25th percentile | $45,900 | $22.07 |
| Median | $49,030 | $23.57 |
| 75th percentile | $59,420 | $28.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,780 | $32.59 |
| Average (mean) | $53,030 | $25.50 |
Half of cabinetmakers and bench carpenters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,085.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,042.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,885.77 |
| Weekly | $942.88 |
| Hourly | $23.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $59,870 | 660 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $58,620 | 320 |
| Vallejo, CA | $55,450 | 80 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $51,020 | 680 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $49,610 | 130 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $49,340 | 70 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $48,850 | 140 |
| Chico, CA | $48,750 | 80 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $48,460 | 50 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $48,130 | 80 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $47,960 | 2,630 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $47,950 | 660 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $47,880 | 810 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $47,720 | 170 |
| Salinas, CA | $47,250 | 30 |
| Modesto, CA | $47,240 | 160 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $46,080 | 70 |
| Fresno, CA | $45,340 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for cabinetmakers and bench carpenters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Delaware | $60,090 |
| New York | $58,680 |
| Connecticut | $58,100 |
| Massachusetts | $58,040 |
| New Hampshire | $57,980 |
| Vermont | $57,620 |
| Rhode Island | $52,800 |
| New Jersey | $51,760 |
| Illinois | $50,160 |
| Arkansas | $50,070 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | $46,370 | $22.29 |
| Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood | $47,390 | $22.78 |
| Furniture Finisher | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| Woodworkers, All Other | $47,860 | $23.01 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $54,300 | $26.11 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,840 | $36.94 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,020 | $21.16 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $48,080 | $23.12 |
| Baker | $43,120 | $20.73 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $41,670 | $20.03 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $58,060 | $27.91 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $56,510 | $27.17 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-7011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cabinetmakers and bench carpenters make in California?
The median salary for cabinetmakers and bench carpenters in California is $49,030 a year, or $23.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cabinetmakers and bench carpenters make in California?
The top 10% of cabinetmakers and bench carpenters in California earn at least $67,780 a year. The top 25% earn $59,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for cabinetmakers and bench carpenters in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,740 a year, and a quarter of cabinetmakers and bench carpenters earn $45,900 or less.
How many cabinetmakers and bench carpenters work in California?
About 7,360 cabinetmakers and bench carpenters are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.