Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing
SOC Code: 51-7042Also known as:
Adzing and Boring Machine Operator, Artificial Log Machine Operator, Automatic Clipper, Automatic Nailing Machine Operator, Automatic Profile Shaper Operator
Median Annual Salary
$40,440
-1.8% growth (2024-2034)
6K
Openings/Year
63K
Current Jobs
What Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing Do
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.
💰 Salary
$40,440
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
-1.8%
Decline
🎓 Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
6K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
63,100
Projected Employment (2034)
61,900
Related Careers
Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
$48,620 •
-13.6% growth
Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
$48,310 •
-14.4% growth
Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood
$39,950 •
-0.6% growth
Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders
$45,700 •
-2.3% growth
Top Skills Required
Operations Monitoring
Operation and Control
Quality Control Analysis
Monitoring
Speaking
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Set up, program, operate, or tend computerized or manual woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, or wood-nailing machines.
- 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.
- Start machines, adjust controls, and make trial cuts to ensure that machinery is operating properly.
- Monitor operation of machines and make adjustments to correct problems and ensure conformance to specifications.
- Examine raw woodstock for defects and to ensure conformity to size and other specification standards.
- Adjust machine tables or cutting devices and set controls on machines to produce specified cuts or operations.
- Install and adjust blades, cutterheads, boring-bits, or sanding-belts, using hand tools and rules.
- Change alignment and adjustment of sanding, cutting, or boring machine guides to prevent defects in finished products, using hand tools.
- Determine product specifications and materials, work methods, and machine setup requirements, according to blueprints, oral or written instructions, drawings, or work orders.
- Feed stock through feed mechanisms or conveyors into planing, shaping, boring, mortising, or sanding machines to produce desired components.
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 Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing:
Cabinetmaking and Millwork
464 degrees awarded •
40 colleges offer this program
Woodworking, General
78 degrees awarded •
5 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing.
Want this ranking as a spreadsheet? Investor Pro+ members can export any Repit table to CSV. See plans →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing make?
The median annual salary for woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing is $40,440.
What education do woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing need?
Most woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Common degree programs include Cabinetmaking and Millwork, Woodworking, General.
Is becoming a woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing a good career choice?
Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing is projected to see -1.8% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which reflects some decline in the field. With approximately 6,400 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing?
Top colleges for aspiring woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing include
Michigan Career and Technical Institute, Red Rocks Community College, Central Piedmont Community College, Northcentral Technical College, Pinellas Technical College-Clearwater.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing?
Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing may also be known as: Adzing and Boring Machine Operator, Artificial Log Machine Operator, Automatic Clipper, Automatic Nailing Machine Operator, Automatic Profile Shaper Operator, Balloon Sander, Band Nailer, Bander, Barker Operator, Barrel Builder, Barrel Charrer, Barrel Lathe Operator, Barrel Maker, Basket Assembler, Basket Braider, Basket Maker, Basket Weaver, Bender Machine Operator, Bending Frame Operator, Blind Slat Stapling Machine Operator.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.