Overview
Furniture and fixture assemblers assemble parts to form subassemblies or complete articles of furniture and fixtures. Furniture finishers finish new wood or metal furniture to specified colour and finish. Furniture refinishers refinish repaired, used or old furniture. Inspectors inspect furniture and fixture subassemblies and finished products to ensure product quality. They are employed by furniture manufacturing companies, manufacturing plants, retail furniture stores, refinishing and repair shops, or may be self-employed.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Furniture and fixture assemblers
Prepare, sand and trim wooden furniture and fixture parts using hand and power tools
Assemble wooden or metal furniture and fixture parts to form subassemblies and complete articles using hand and power tools
Assemble a combination of parts made of wood, metal, plastic, cane or other materials to form subassemblies or complete furniture articles
Reinforce assembled furniture and fixtures with dowels or other supports
Install hardware such as hinges or clasps on furniture and fixtures.
Furniture finishers
Set up and operate finishing machines or finish furniture by hand
Stain or finish wood to specified colour with stains, paints or other materials using brush or spray gun
Apply toners, highlights, glazes or shaders to obtain desired finish
Apply lacquer or other sealers
Decorate wood surfaces or mark surfaces to create antique or other effects using hand and power tools
Clean and polish furniture
Sand metal furniture to prepare for finish and spray with paint or other materials.
Furniture refinishers
Strip old finish from wood surfaces using steel wool, sandpaper and solvents
Smooth gouges with wood filler and sand wood
Match colours to obtain original finish and apply appropriate finish to stripped wood
Polish and wax refinished surfaces
Sand or grind metal surfaces to prepare for coating, and paint metal surfaces using electrostatic method, spray gun or other painting equipment
Make minor repairs to furniture
May perform duties of furniture finisher.
Furniture and fixture inspectors
Inspect furniture and fixture subassemblies and finished products for conformance to quality standards
Mark defective parts or products for repair
Make minor adjustments and repairs
Record information on products inspected.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$36,289
$52,140
$66,739
Job openings
Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.
British Columbia
233expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
Secondary school education is usually required.
On-the-job training is provided.
Experience as a labourer in the same company may be required for furniture and fixtures assemblers and inspectors.
Additional information
Mobility is possible between jobs in this unit group.
Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
Certification requirements
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
No post-secondary education required
No post-secondary education required. You can work in this career without post-secondary education. Some on the job training may be provided. With additional training or experience, you may be able to progress into higher level, supervisory or management positions.