Studying Furniture Making: Degrees at a Glance
Furniture making includes the efforts of artisans, designers and manufacturers who use materials such as wood, fabric, metal and plastic to produce furniture. Preparation for a career in furniture making can range from vocational training to apprenticeships to certificate, associate degree and bachelor's degree programs. In a furniture design, furniture manufacturing, fine woodworking or furniture making degree program, you might learn woodworking, cabinetmaking or upholstering, custom crafting and design or industrial engineering for furniture manufacturing. Specialized on-campus bench and machine workshops, studios and testing facilities may be open to you. As a furniture maker, you could work for small to large companies, design studios or for yourself.
Associate degree programs might help you work in a studio dedicated to custom, architectural or fine furniture making. With a bachelor's degree, you might be a production manager in a furniture manufacturing facility or a furniture designer. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that employment growth in general would increase 14% from 2010-2020. Furniture design or high-end craft skills could be helpful, since opportunities for industrial managers may grow only 6% as furniture manufacturing continues to move overseas. Income for business owners, artisans and designers who do custom work is difficult to determine but could be higher than production-based incomes like those below.
Associate | Bachelor's | |
---|---|---|
Who is this degree for? | Individuals who want an entry-level position in a furniture making field | Individuals interested in management positions or employment advancement |
Common Career Paths | - Cabinetmaker and bench carpenter ($31,000)* - Upholsterer ($30,000)* - First-line supervisor of production workers ($47,000)* - Master craftsperson in an academic environment (salary unavailable) | - Industrial designer ($61,000)* - Industrial production manager ($88,000)* - Furniture designer ($29,000-$95,000)** - Sales manager ($102,000)* |
Time to Completion | 1-2 years, full-time | 4-5 years, full-time |
Common Graduation Requirements | - Typically 60-70 credits, including major area subjects and liberal arts core requirements - Internship | - Approximately 120 credits - Internship or capstone project |
Prerequisites | High school diploma or GED | High school diploma or GED |
Online Availability | Limited online courses may be available | Some online courses may be available |
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2011 median wages), **PayScale.com (2012 total pay range, including salary and bonuses, tips, commission, overtime wages and profit sharing).