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?
Salary Distribution by Percentile
Understanding where you might fall in the salary range based on experience and location.
10th
$24,264
25th
$32,352
50th (Median)
$40,440
75th
$48,528
90th
$60,660
Percentile Explained: If you're in the 75th percentile, you earn more than 75% of workers in this occupation. Entry-level positions typically fall in the 10th-25th percentile range, while experienced professionals often reach the 75th-90th percentile.
Typical Benefits Package
Health & Wellness
- ✓Health Insurance
- ✓Dental Insurance
- ✓Vision Insurance
- ✓Mental Health Support
- ✓Wellness Programs
Financial Benefits
- ✓401(k) Retirement Plan
- ✓Employer Match (typically 3-6%)
- ✓Profit Sharing
- ✓Stock Options
- ✓Performance Bonuses
Work-Life Balance
- ✓Paid Time Off (15-25 days)
- ✓Paid Sick Leave
- ✓Flexible Work Arrangements
- ✓Remote Work Options
- ✓Parental Leave
Professional Development
- ✓Tuition Reimbursement
- ✓Professional Certifications
- ✓Conference Attendance
- ✓Training Programs
- ✓Mentorship Opportunities
Note: Benefits vary widely by employer, company size, and location. Large corporations and tech companies often offer more comprehensive packages, while small businesses may offer fewer benefits but more flexibility. Always review the complete compensation package, not just base salary.
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:63,100
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
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
🔥
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
VERY 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 very high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What education is required?
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
Experience Required
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Job Training
Training of a few months to a year