Salary Survey
Comprehensive salary data for woodworking professionals. Based on our annual industry survey with 2,400+ respondents.
2026 Woodworker Salary & Income Report
Median Annual Income – All Woodworkers
$52,400
+4.2% from 2025 | Based on 2,437 survey responses
$38K
Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$52K
Mid-Career (3-9 yrs)
$68K
Experienced (10+ yrs)
$95K
Business Owners
Salary by Specialization
Income by Region
| Region | Median Salary | Cost Adjusted | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific (CA, WA, OR) | $62,400 | $48,200 | +5.1% |
| Northeast (NY, MA, PA) | $58,800 | $49,100 | +4.8% |
| Mountain (CO, UT, AZ) | $54,200 | $50,800 | +4.5% |
| Midwest (OH, MI, IL) | $50,400 | $52,100 | +3.9% |
| Southeast (NC, GA, FL) | $48,600 | $51,400 | +4.2% |
| South Central (TX, OK) | $47,200 | $52,800 | +3.6% |
Cost Adjusted = normalized to national average cost of living
Key Finding: CNC skills command an 18% premium over traditional woodworking roles. Woodworkers with CAD/CAM proficiency report median earnings of $68,500, compared to $52,400 for traditional craftspeople.
Self-Employed vs. Employed Income
| Employment Type | Median Income | % of Respondents | Avg Hours/Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time Employee | $52,400 | 48% | 42 |
| Self-Employed (Full-Time) | $68,200 | 28% | 52 |
| Business Owner (1-5 employees) | $95,400 | 12% | 55 |
| Business Owner (6+ employees) | $142,000 | 4% | 50 |
| Part-Time/Hobby Seller | $18,400 | 8% | 15 |
Income by Experience Level
Benefits & Compensation
| Benefit | Employees | Self-Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Health Insurance (employer-provided) | 68% | N/A |
| Retirement Plan (401k/IRA) | 52% | 34% |
| Paid Time Off | 74% | N/A |
| Tool Allowance | 38% | N/A |
| Training/Education Budget | 24% | 62% |
📊 Survey Methodology
- Survey Period: November 1-30, 2025
- Total Responses: 2,437 completed surveys
- Response Sources: Newsletter subscribers, trade show attendees, woodworking forums, social media
- Qualification: Respondents must derive 25%+ of income from woodworking
- Geography: United States only (state-level data available)
- Confidence Level: 95% with ±2% margin of error
Citation: “2026 Woodworker Salary & Income Report, Woodshop News. woodshopnewsnet.com/salary-survey/”
Career Insights
Highest-Paying Skills
- CNC Programming (Mastercam, Alphacam) – +18% salary premium
- CAD/3D Modeling (SketchUp Pro, Fusion 360) – +12% premium
- Finishing Expertise (Spray, Lacquer) – +8% premium
- Project Management – +15% premium
- Installation/Field Work – +6% premium
Industry Outlook
- Job Growth: 3.2% projected through 2030 (BLS)
- Retirement Wave: 22% of workforce over age 55
- Skilled Labor Shortage: 85% of shops report difficulty hiring
- Technology Adoption: CNC roles growing 8% annually
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Historical Comparison
| Year | Median Salary | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $52,400 | +4.2% |
| 2025 | $50,300 | +3.8% |
| 2024 | $48,450 | +3.2% |
| 2023 | $46,950 | +4.5% |
| 2022 | $44,930 | +5.1% |
This report is published annually each January. Data represents self-reported income from survey respondents and may differ from BLS statistics which use different methodology. All figures in USD.