5442 Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers

In short

• ONS unit group 5442, in minor group 544 (Other skilled trades) and major group 5 (Skilled trades occupations).
• Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): Transitional tables only: Table 1a, Table 2aa.
• Going rate as the tables print it:
  • Table 1a, Going rate (SW – options A and D): £33,400 (£17.13 per hour)
  • Table 2aa, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers make, repair and restore wooden furniture, decorative objects and other crafted pieces of woodwork.

Typical entry routes

There are no formal entry requirements, although entrants typically possess a variety of academic and vocational qualifications. Training is provided Off and on-the-job. A number of NVQs/SVQs and other vocational qualifications covering various aspects of furniture production and wood machining are available at various levels. Apprenticeships in Cabinet Making are available in some areas.

Tasks

• examines drawings and specifications to determine job requirements and appropriate materials
• selects, measures, cuts and shapes wood using saws, chisels, planes, powered hand tools and woodworking machines
• assembles parts with crafted joints, nails, screws, dowels or adhesives and fits locks, catches, hinges, castors, drawers, shelves and other fittings
• removes, replaces or repairs damaged parts of wooden furniture
• measures floor area to be covered and lays wood blocks, parquet panels or hardwood strips
• matches and marks out veneers ready for cutting and examines and repairs defects in veneer or plywood sheets

Related job titles

• Antiques restorer
• Cabinet maker
• Coffin maker
• Furniture restorer
• Joiner (cabinet making)
• Picture framer
• Sprayer (furniture mfr)

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the tables below, with the tables’ own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 1a: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

5442 Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Cabinet makers (excludes metal)
• Furniture makers and fitters
• Furniture restorers
• Furniture sprayers and finishers
• Picture framers
• Shed makers
• Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option B)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option C)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option E)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Table 2aa: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

5442 Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

5442

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Cabinet makers (excludes metal)
• Furniture makers and fitters
• Furniture restorers
• Furniture sprayers and finishers
• Picture framers
• Shed makers
• Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option G)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option H)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option J, GTR)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Other unit groups in minor group 544

• 5441 Glass and ceramics makers, decorators and finishers
• 5443 Florists
• 5449 Other skilled trades n.e.c.

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

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