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Woodworkers

Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information

Woodworkers in the United States earn a median salary of $43,380 per year — about $21 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 215K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of -2%.

Median Salary

$43,380

~$21/hr · ~$3,615/mo

US Jobs

215K

Decline

AI & Automation Risk

3/10

Low Risk

AI & Automation Risk

Low Risk 3/10

The core of the job involves physical manipulation of materials, manual dexterity, and real-time sensory monitoring in a workshop environment, which are resistant to AI. While AI can optimize digital design (CAD) and CNC programming, the physical assembly, finishing, and machine maintenance require a human presence that limits overall exposure.

Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home

Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.

City	Local Salary	Cost of Living	Real Purchasing Power
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IABEST VALUE	$60,070	Below avg (92.8)	$64,764
Longview-Kelso, WA	$59,550	Average (99.3)	$59,963
St. Cloud, MN	$49,790	Below avg (89.3)	$55,755
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$56,950	Above avg (104.3)	$54,601
Albany, OR	$56,180	Above avg (104.7)	$53,638
Eau Claire, WI	$48,710	Below avg (91.5)	$53,219
La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN	$47,780	Below avg (90.6)	$52,743
Bend, OR	$55,400	Above avg (105.3)	$52,624
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI	$47,610	Below avg (90.8)	$52,432
Fargo, ND-MN	$46,530	Below avg (89.1)	$52,202
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ	$51,030	Average (98.9)	$51,608
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	$51,730	Average (100.9)	$51,256
Springfield, IL	$46,090	Below avg (90.7)	$50,843
Medford, OR	$52,390	Above avg (103.4)	$50,650
Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI	$46,300	Below avg (91.7)	$50,464