Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
Set up, operate, or tend woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, and wood nailing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment.
Also called: Adzing and Boring Machine Operator, Artificial Log Machine Operator, Automatic Clipper, Automatic Nailing Machine Operator, Automatic Profile Shaper Operator, Balloon Sander
Median pay
$43,380
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$32,110 – $56,830
People employed
61,420
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.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 2.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 3.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 4.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 5.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 6.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 7.Do you want the same hours every week?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Tight deadlines are common
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing pay by state
Annual median pay by state (47 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing salary in every state →
What woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing do
- 01Set up, program, operate, or tend computerized or manual woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, or wood-nailing machines.
- 02Examine finished workpieces for smoothness, shape, angle, depth-of-cut, or conformity to specifications and verify dimensions, visually and using hands, rules, calipers, templates, or gauges.
- 03Start machines, adjust controls, and make trial cuts to ensure that machinery is operating properly.
- 04Monitor operation of machines and make adjustments to correct problems and ensure conformance to specifications.
- 05Examine raw woodstock for defects and to ensure conformity to size and other specification standards.
- 06Adjust machine tables or cutting devices and set controls on machines to produce specified cuts or operations.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
- Mathematics
- Public Safety and Security
- Building and Construction
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: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
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 woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic91% · +22%
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic91% · +7%
- Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders89% · −11%
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders88% · +7%
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic88% · +7%
Change into woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders92% · $38,760
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic91% · $46,330
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic91% · $49,080
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic91% · $46,550
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic89% · $47,180
Majors that lead here
- Woodworking, General
- Cabinetmaking and Millwork
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.