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.
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
SOC: 51-7042 O*NET: 51-7042.00
Median Salary
$40,440
per year
Job Growth
📉 -1.8%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
6.4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$30,920
10th percentile
Early Career
$36,260
25th percentile
Median
$40,440
50th percentile
Experienced
$47,650
75th percentile
Top Earners
$54,340
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$30,920
25th
$36,260
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$40,440
Mean: $42,290
75th
$47,650
90th
$54,340
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $23,420 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $36,260 and $47,650
- •Salary spread is 28.2% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 63,350 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:63,100
Top Industries
Manufacturing90.8%
Wood Product Manufacturing62.1%
Other Wood Product Manufacturing40.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-1.8%
Annual Openings:6,400
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)63,100
Current
2034 (Projected)61,900
-1.8%
-1,100
Employment Change
-1.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 47 locations
Michigan
4,810 jobs$46,1802.66x
Indiana
3,980 jobs$39,8603.04x
North Carolina
3,870 jobs$37,3501.93x
California
3,440 jobs$45,0200.46x
Pennsylvania
3,190 jobs$43,0201.29x
Wisconsin
3,090 jobs$41,4002.58x
Alabama
2,750 jobs$36,6003.21x
Ohio
2,650 jobs$44,5101.17x
Georgia
2,520 jobs$37,0701.26x
Texas
2,370 jobs$34,6300.42x
Tennessee
2,250 jobs$34,3401.67x
Oregon
2,030 jobs$49,4302.51x
Virginia
1,580 jobs$37,0300.95x
Iowa
1,570 jobs$47,8902.45x
Kentucky
1,560 jobs$37,0501.91x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Operation and Control
92%
#3
Quality Control Analysis
82%
#4
Monitoring
74%
#5
Equipment Maintenance
66%
#6
Critical Thinking
58%
#7
Speaking
48%
#8
Troubleshooting
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.6
92%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate4.1
82%
Monitoring
intermediate3.7
74%
Equipment Maintenance
intermediate3.3
66%
Critical Thinking
basic2.9
58%
Speaking
basic2.4
48%
Troubleshooting
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
intermediateImportance82%
skills
4.1/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance58%
abilities
2.9/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance48%
skills
2.4/5.0
Troubleshooting
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators80%
5 shared skills
Roof Bolters, Mining80%
5 shared skills
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic78%
5 shared skills
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood75%
5 shared skills
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders70%
5 shared skills
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders70%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Equipment Maintenance
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Quality Control Analysis
- ★Operation and Control
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechDassault Systemes SolidWorks
🔥 Hot TechAdobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Creative Cloud software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechOracle Java
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechApple macOS
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Outlook
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Oracle Java
Microsoft Office software
Apple macOS
Microsoft Windows
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (13)Training & Development (1)Planning & Development (4)Operations & Execution (2)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Start machines, adjust controls, and make trial cuts to ensure that machinery is operating properly.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Determine product specifications and materials, work methods, and machine setup requirements, according to blueprints, oral or written instructions, drawings, or work orders.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development97% perform98%
3
Feed stock through feed mechanisms or conveyors into planing, shaping, boring, mortising, or sanding machines to produce desired components.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Adjust machine tables or cutting devices and set controls on machines to produce specified cuts or operations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Monitor operation of machines and make adjustments to correct problems and ensure conformance to specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Set up, program, operate, or tend computerized or manual woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, or wood-nailing machines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Select knives, saws, blades, cutter heads, cams, bits, or belts, according to workpiece, machine functions, or product specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Examine 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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Install and adjust blades, cutterheads, boring-bits, or sanding-belts, using hand tools and rules.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Inspect and mark completed workpieces and stack them on pallets, in boxes, or on conveyors so that they can be moved to the next workstation.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.40
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.21
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.71
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.68
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.61
Persistence
ImportantPersistence
Importance Level3.53
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.4
Dependability
4.2
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.7
Independence
3.7
Integrity
3.6
Persistence
3.5
Cooperation
3.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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