by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Wooden Boatbuilding Technology explores A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To Construct And Repair Traditional And Modern Wooden Boats. Includes Instruction In Budgeting, Drafting, Fairing, Lofting, Joinery, Planking, Spars And Rigging, And Woodworking. Continue reading for the key facts every wooden boatbuilding technology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering wooden boatbuilding technology programs.
Nationwide, wooden boatbuilding technology is a widely-pursued major, with 41 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Wooden Boatbuilding Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 2 schools to determine the best overall colleges for wooden boatbuilding technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of wooden boatbuilding technology programs later in this article.
Studies in Wooden Boatbuilding Technology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations wooden boatbuilding technology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a wooden boatbuilding technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a wooden boatbuilding technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several wooden boatbuilding technology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 11 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 30 |
People currently working in careers related to wooden boatbuilding technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate | 30.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 30.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 20.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 14.3% |
| Some college courses | 4.3% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in wooden boatbuilding technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in wooden boatbuilding technology prepares you for a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to wooden boatbuilding technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to wooden boatbuilding technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Woodworkers, All Other | 945,993 | 10.0% |
| Model Makers, Wood | 478,406 | 0.5% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of wooden boatbuilding technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $28,034 |
| 4 years | $43,408 |
| 5 years | $46,526 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for wooden boatbuilding technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers wooden boatbuilding technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Woodworkers, All Other | $57,136 |
| Model Makers, Wood | $55,448 |
With 2 different wooden boatbuilding technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased wooden boatbuilding technology school rankings to help you.
Those considering wooden boatbuilding technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cabinetmaking and Millwork | 464 |
| Woodworking, General | 78 |
| Furniture Design and Manufacturing | 70 |
| Woodworking, Other | 6 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
