Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood
Set up, operate, or tend wood sawing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment. Includes lead sawyers.
Also called: Automatic Bandsaw Tender, Automatic Edger, Automatic Log Cut-Off Sawyer, Backup Sawyer, Band Saw Operator, Band Saw Runner
Median pay
$42,770
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$30,890 – $58,170
People employed
40,850
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 2.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 3.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 4.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 5.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 6.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 7.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Tight deadlines are common
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood pay by state
Annual median pay by state (46 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood salary in every state →
What sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood do
- 01Inspect and measure workpieces to mark for cuts and to verify the accuracy of cuts, using rulers, squares, or caliper rules.
- 02Adjust saw blades, using wrenches and rulers, or by turning handwheels or pressing pedals, levers, or panel buttons.
- 03Mount and bolt sawing blades or attachments to machine shafts.
- 04Adjust bolts, clamps, stops, guides, or table angles or heights, using hand tools.
- 05Set up, operate, or tend saws or machines that cut or trim wood to specified dimensions, such as circular saws, band saws, multiple-blade sawing machines, scroll saws, ripsaws, or crozer machines.
- 06Examine logs or lumber to plan the best cuts.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- Mathematics
- Education and Training
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood
- Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand90% · 0%
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic89% · +9%
- Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders89% · −9%
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic89% · +8%
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders86% · +9%
Change into sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders86% · $46,570
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic86% · $46,330
- Rock Splitters, Quarry86% · $48,740
- Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders86% · $38,760
- Fallers84% · $52,100
Majors that lead here
- Cabinetmaking and Millwork
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.