TRADES Specialization

Woodworking

Most Woodworking programs take one to two years to complete. Graduates start earning $19,151 right after finishing, climbing to $47,488 four years out.

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About Woodworking

This page covers Woodworking as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Precision Production and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.

Woodworking is a focused area of study within Precision Production. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $47,488 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 81 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 587 students complete it each year, most walking away with a certificate. Training is practical and skills-based, with a fast path from classroom to job site.

Median Earnings · 1yr: $19,151
Median Earnings · 4yr: $47,488
Colleges Offering: 81
Graduates / Year: 587
Avg Net Price / yr: $14,613

How Much Do Woodworking Graduates Earn?

Four years after finishing Woodworking, a typical graduate earns $47,488, below average for bachelor's degree holders. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $19,151 at one year out to $47,488 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.

What that figure means in practice depends on what the degree cost to get, which is a matter of lifetime earnings against total outlay.

$19,151

1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$47,488

4-Year National Median

Below average for bachelor's degree holders.

$37,055

4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 587 students who complete Woodworking programs each year, the majority (43%) earn a certificate degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

43% 34%

Certificate 43%

Associate's 34%

Bachelor's 13%

What Can You Do With a Woodworking Degree?

This degree does not lock you into one job. Woodworking graduates show up in 2 different occupations, and Tool and Die Makers pay the most at $64,050/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

The best-paid of these is what Tool and Die Makers earn and how fast those roles are growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.

↘ -9.2%

Tool and Die Makers

$64,050

$51K $79K 25th–75th pct.

Postsecondary nondegree award 4,300 openings/yr 57K employed nationally

↗ +1.0%

Machinists

$58,750

$48K $68K 25th–75th pct.

High school diploma or equivalent 26,100 openings/yr 287K employed nationally

Top Colleges for Woodworking

Not sure where to study Woodworking? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

Ranked by score, that list starts with the cost and outcomes at Rhode Island School of Design, and the rest follow the same measures.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	Rhode Island School of Design Providence, RI · Nonprofit	37	18.7%	$50,507	$68,140
2	Lee College Baytown, TX · Public	15	Open	$6,879	$42,178
3	Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Lancaster, PA · Public	14	71.2%	$14,104	$54,681
4	Northcentral Technical College Wausau, WI · Public	12	Open	$10,303	$44,925
5	Saint Paul College Saint Paul, MN · Public	10	Open	$11,495	$38,399
6	Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WI · Public	9	Open	$9,112	$41,113
7	Madison Area Technical College Madison, WI · Public	9	Open	$14,238	$45,413
8	Palomar College San Marcos, CA · Public	7	Open	$5,763	$42,300
9	Columbus Technical College Columbus, GA · Public	7	Open	$4,001	$34,238
10	Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WI · Public	6	Open	$11,407	$45,684
11	SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo, NY · Public	6	73%	$11,346	$52,334
12	Northwood Technical College Rice Lake, WI · Public	6	Open	$8,989	$43,406
13	Macomb Community College Warren, MI · Public	5	Open	$1,618	$41,596
14	Bucks County Community College Newtown, PA · Public	5	Open	$6,389	$47,324
15	Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park, MN · Public	5	Open	$10,272	$49,460
16	Minneapolis College of Art and Design Minneapolis, MN · Nonprofit	5	48.5%	$29,926	$40,873
17	Laney College Oakland, CA · Public	4	Open	$17,110	$37,282
18	Eastern Maine Community College Bangor, ME · Public	4	Open	$8,928	$41,704
19	California College of the Arts San Francisco, CA · Nonprofit	4	91.1%	$53,909	$49,414
20	El Camino Community College District Torrance, CA · Public	2	Open	$5,968	$41,589

View all colleges

Ranked by Woodworking graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Woodworking program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a Woodworking degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

Woodworking Degree: Pros & Cons

Woodworking carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 3 strengths and 3 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.

PROS

Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $19,151 at graduation to $47,488 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 30,400 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
Flexible credential paths Programs are available from certificate and associate levels through bachelor's and graduate degrees, giving students real options based on timeline and goals.

CONS

Modest median earnings Four-year median of $47,488 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
Licensure often required Many positions in this field require trade licenses, certifications, or apprenticeship completion. These add time and cost beyond the academic credential.
Declining roles in some areas 1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.

Woodworking Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Woodworking graduates earn?

$47,488 is the national median four years after finishing the program. The full spread above and below that figure has not been reported, so treat it as a midpoint rather than what any one graduate will earn. Source: College Scorecard.

What is the starting salary for a Woodworking degree?

$19,151 in the first year out. That grows to $47,488 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.

What jobs can you get with a Woodworking degree?

Tool and Die Makers are one path, and it pays a median of $64,050 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.

How long does a Woodworking program take?

One to two years of full-time study for most Woodworking certificates, and some community colleges get you through in a single semester. That makes it one of the fastest ways into the field.

How many colleges offer Woodworking?

81 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.

Is a Woodworking degree worth it?

$47,488 median earnings four years out against $14,613 a year in average net price. That is a reasonable payback window, best at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.

What is the difference between Woodworking and Precision Production?

Woodworking is the narrower of the two: Precision Production covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Woodworking-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.

What skills do employers look for in Woodworking graduates?

Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Woodworking graduates consistently look for technical proficiency, safety compliance, and hands-on problem-solving. Certifications, apprenticeships, and demonstrated practical experience typically carry as much weight as academic credentials in this field. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.

What is the job outlook for Woodworking graduates?

Outlook is slow overall: related occupations average -4.1% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Machinists are among the strongest-growth roles at +1.0%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.