Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood
SOC Code: 51-7041Also known as:
Automatic Bandsaw Tender, Automatic Edger, Automatic Log Cut-Off Sawyer, Backup Sawyer, Band Saw Operator
Median Annual Salary
$39,950
-0.6% growth (2024-2034)
5K
Openings/Year
45K
Current Jobs
What Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood Do
Set up, operate, or tend wood sawing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment. Includes lead sawyers.
💰 Salary
$39,950
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
-0.6%
Little or no change
🎓 Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
5K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
45,000
Projected Employment (2034)
44,700
Related Careers
Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing
$40,440 •
-1.8% growth
Grinding and polishing workers, hand
$41,690 •
-21.2% growth
Cutters and trimmers, hand
$38,800 •
-18.1% growth
Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders
$45,700 •
-2.3% growth
Top Skills Required
Operations Monitoring
Operation and Control
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Troubleshooting
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Inspect and measure workpieces to mark for cuts and to verify the accuracy of cuts, using rulers, squares, or caliper rules.
- Adjust saw blades, using wrenches and rulers, or by turning handwheels or pressing pedals, levers, or panel buttons.
- Mount and bolt sawing blades or attachments to machine shafts.
- Set 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.
- Inspect stock for imperfections or to estimate grades or qualities of stock or workpieces.
- Monitor sawing machines, adjusting speed and tension and clearing jams to ensure proper operation.
- Sharpen blades, or replace defective or worn blades or bands, using hand tools.
- Guide workpieces against saws, saw over workpieces by hand, or operate automatic feeding devices to guide cuts.
- Clear machine jams, using hand tools.
- Lubricate or clean machines, using wrenches, grease guns, or solvents.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
High School Diploma
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood:
Cabinetmaking and Millwork
464 degrees awarded •
40 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood.
Want this ranking as a spreadsheet? Investor Pro+ members can export any Repit table to CSV. See plans →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood make?
The median annual salary for sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood is $39,950.
What education do sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood need?
Most sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Common degree programs include Cabinetmaking and Millwork.
Is becoming a sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood a good career choice?
Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood is projected to see -0.6% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which reflects some decline in the field. With approximately 4,800 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood?
Top colleges for aspiring sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood include
Michigan Career and Technical Institute, Central Piedmont Community College, Pinellas Technical College-Clearwater, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, Fox Valley Technical College.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood?
Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood may also be known as: Automatic Bandsaw Tender, Automatic Edger, Automatic Log Cut-Off Sawyer, Backup Sawyer, Band Saw Operator, Band Saw Runner, Band Sawyer, Band Scroll Saw Operator, Bandmill Operator, Bandsaw Operator, Bead Cutter, Beading Sawyer, Bill Cutter, Billet Cutter, Block Bolter Mule Operator, Block Cutter, Block Saw Operator, Block Sawyer, Board Saw Runner, Bolt Machine Operator.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.