Headline risk
19%
Moderate RiskFurniture finishers
AI displacement pressure score for United States AI Work Index, combining global AI task overlap with local wages, employment trends, and demand signals.
Why This Score
Share of job tasks that overlap with current AI capabilities
Median annual wage
Projected employment change over 10 years
Typical preparation needed for this occupation
Occupation profile
Shape, finish, and refinish damaged, worn, or used furniture or new high-grade furniture to specified color or finish.
Task evidence
100% weighted task match · 0% effective coverage
Scores combine AI task overlap, human advantages, and local demand. How it works
United States Now
Median Wage
USD 42,530
Employment 2024
20.5K
Projected Change (2024–34)
-3.3%
Openings (2024–34)
2.0K
Wage distribution
Demand outlook
Overall employment of woodworkers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2024 to 2034, decline.
Role Profile
Tasks
- 1. Brush, spray, or hand-rub finishing ingredients, such as paint, oil, stain, or wax, onto and into wood grain and apply lacquer or other sealers. AI use: 0%
- 2. Remove old finishes and damaged or deteriorated parts, using hand tools, stripping tools, sandpaper, steel wool, abrasives, solvents, or dip baths. AI use: 0%
- 3. Smooth, shape, and touch up surfaces to prepare them for finishing, using sandpaper, pumice stones, steel wool, chisels, sanders, or grinders. AI use: 0%
- 4. Remove accessories prior to finishing, and mask areas that should not be exposed to finishing processes or substances. AI use: 0%
- 5. Fill and smooth cracks or depressions, remove marks and imperfections, and repair broken parts, using plastic or wood putty, glue, nails, or screws. AI use: 0%
- 6. Examine furniture to determine the extent of damage or deterioration, and to decide on the best method for repair or restoration. AI use: 0%
Technologies
Requirements
Work context
Worker profile
Median age 41.0 · 105K employed
Under 25: 9% · 25–54: 79% · 55+: 12%
Related
No direct US role match is available yet for this occupation.
Source coverage
11/11 source families · O*NET 30.2 / OEWS 2024 / ORS 2025 / OOH 2025-08-28 / Projections 2024-34 / CPS 2025 / Anthropic task penetration
Data quality
Employment data available
Narrative & sources
Woodworkers manufacture a variety of products, such as cabinets and furniture, using wood, veneers, and laminates.
Most woodworkers are employed in manufacturing industries. Although their working conditions vary, woodworkers may encounter machinery noise and wood dust.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required to become a woodworker. Although some entry-level jobs may be learned in 1 month or less, becoming proficient typically requires several months to more than a year of on-the-job training. The ability to use computer-controlled machinery also is important.
The median annual wage for woodworkers was $43,720 in May 2024.
Overall employment of woodworkers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2024 to 2034, decline.
Important context
This score measures structural AI displacement pressure, not actual job losses. Local wages and demand data are specific to United States AI Work Index; the underlying AI task overlap analysis is consistent across all countries.