Becoming a cooper requires a long apprenticeship. "Finding someone who wants to become a cooper as a career would be almost unheard of," says Korb. "Training is on-the-job over at least two years to learn barrel making."
Apprenticeship Duration
In colonial times, coopering was a seven-year apprenticeship with the master craftsman. Now, it takes four years to learn the craft before becoming a fully-fledged cooper.
Salary Range
Coopers’ salaries in the US range from $22,060 to $63,560, with an average of $37,730.
Craftsmanship Process
Herrera estimates making a barrel by hand takes 11 hours. "You have to put in the time, work, and passion to become top quality," says one cooper.
Skills needed are strength, precision, cutting, shaping and measuring wood. Experience lifting wood and heavy barrels is also required.