A professional tradesperson, a joiner specialises in cutting, fitting and constructing objects out of wood. These wooden structures will all be built without the use of metal fasters like screws or nails.

The repair and maintenance of roofs, ceilings, doors and floors can also involve a joiner.

There can sometimes be confusion between the role of a joiner and that of a carpenter. To distinguish between the two types of trade, it should be noted that joinery work focuses on the construction of items out of wood alone. Meanwhile, carpentry involves professional tradespeople using the structures built by joiners and fitting them around a site that is under construction.

What do joiners do?

The typical day of a joiner can see a tradesperson carrying out the following tasks:

Measuring materials ahead of a joinery project
Precision carving and cutting of wood
Constructing timber frames and shelving units
Assembling doors, door frames, windows and staircases
Constructing large structures, such as shop interiors or sets to be used on a TV series or film
Repairing and maintaining both door and window frames
Undertaking site surveys
Verifying the structure quality of a site

A joiner’s job description

A joiner’s duties and requirements mean that it is important for someone to have these skills:

Comprehensive knowledge about building and construction practices
Mechanical skills to work with a wide variety of tools and equipment
In-depth knowledge about health and safety standards
Problem-solving skills
Clear communication skills
A creative thinker
An active listener
Able to work well in a team
Thorough attention to detail
Very skillful at mathematics
An analytical approach to doing a task
Physical strength and stamina

Expected joiner salary

How much do joiners earn? According to research by Checkatrade, the average salary for this type of tradesperson is as follows:

An apprentice joiner has an average salary in the region of £13,258 per year, which works out at approximately £12,509 of take-home pay.
A newly qualified joiner has an average salary in the region of £21,441 per year, which works out at approximately £18,073 of take-home pay.
An employed joiner has an average salary in the region of £35,360 per year, which works out at approximately £27,538 of take-home pay.
A sole trader joiner has an average salary in the region of £55,314 per year, which works out at approximately £37,010 of take-home pay.
A business owner of a Ltd company in the joinery sector has an average salary in the region of £66,377 per year, which works out at approximately £43,268 of take-home pay.

Joiner apprenticeships and courses

Doing an apprenticeship or enrolling onto a college course are two of the common ways to get the qualifications needed to become a joiner.

A joiner apprenticeship

An apprenticeship in architectural joinery or as a site carpenter are both considerations of taking this educational route.

Both of these options will see a student combining their studying with on-the-job training.

Intermediate and advanced levels are available for either type of apprenticeship too, though take note that the following entry requirements will be needed:

To start an intermediate apprenticeship, some GCSEs or equivalent are needed. These often include English and Mathematics.
To start an advanced apprenticeship, five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent are needed. These include English and Mathematics.

A joiner college course

There are various college courses available to become a qualified joiner, including these options:

T Level in On-Site Construction
Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Carpentry and Joinery
Level 2 Diploma in Bench Joinery

Specific entry requirements are needed for each of these levels though, which are as follows:

To enrol onto a T Level college course, four or five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent are needed. These include English and Mathematics.
To enrol onto a Level 2 college course, two or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D) or equivalent are needed.
To enrol onto a Level 3 college course, four or five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent are needed.

You should now have a much clearer path into becoming a joiner after reading this guide. If you are still wondering which type of trade to pursue a career in though, have you read our equally comprehensive career guides aimed at carpenters, builders, plumbers and roofers?

Career Guide: How To Become A Joiner

What is a joiner?