Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing earn a median of $43,380 per year ($20.86/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to fall 2.5% through 2035, with about 5,300 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-7042
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Woodworking Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Except Sawing in four numbers
- Median pay
- $43,380a year, or $20.86/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $32KTop 10% $57K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -2.5%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−2.5%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −2.5% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 5,30060,900 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202560.9K
- Projected 203559.4K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 60.9K Projected 2035 59.4K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school20.7%
- High school73.1%
- Certificate4.6%
- Bachelor's1.7%
Highest education held by woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing Segment Value Less than high school 20.7% High school 73.1% Certificate 4.6% Bachelor's 1.7%
Also advertised as: Boring Machine Operator, Cabinet Maker, Knot Saw Operator, Lathe Operator, Machine Operator, Molder Operator.
Pay
How much do Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing make?
Every woodworking machine setter, operator, and tender, except sawing in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$43,380
Middle half earn $37,100 to $48,720
- 10th
- $32,110
- 25th
- $37,100
- 75th
- $48,720
- 90th
- $56,830
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $32,110 |
| 25th | $37,100 |
| Median | $43,380 |
| 75th | $48,720 |
| 90th | $56,830 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $43,380
- Median hourly wage
- $20.86/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $43,570
- People employed
- 61,420
Versus all US occupations
At $43,380, Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing earn 15% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $7,600 a year.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 10% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $56,830 or more while the bottom 10% earn $32,110, a gap of 1.8×. That is a narrow spread, so experience and employer move pay less than in most occupations.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 10% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Washington posts the highest raw median ($52,980), but once local prices are taken into account Iowa leads at $58,340 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Washington | $52,980 | $49,508 | 1,250 |
| 2Minnesota | $51,540 | $52,261 | 710 |
| 3Iowa | $51,200 | $58,340 | 1,100 |
| 4New Jersey | $49,680 | $45,660 | 410 |
| 5Oregon | $49,480 | $47,871 | 2,120 |
| 6Nebraska | $49,190 | $54,593 | 490 |
| 7Michigan | $47,680 | $49,555 | 5,250 |
| 8Louisiana | $47,170 | $53,476 | 400 |
| 9Connecticut | $47,140 | $45,498 | 150 |
| 10Colorado | $46,500 | $45,123 | 440 |
Job outlook
Is Woodworking Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Except Sawing a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -2.5% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | −2.5% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing to change -2.5% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 1,500 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 5,300 openings are projected each year, 8.7% of the 60,900 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of woodworkers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, decline.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Overall demand for woodworkers is expected to be reduced by automation, especially the use of computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines in wood product manufacturing. However, demand for some wood products, such as those used in home renovation projects and outdoor structures for restaurants and other businesses, may sustain demand for some woodworkers.
Getting in
How to become a Woodworking Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Except Sawing
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required to become a woodworker. Although some entry-level jobs may be learned in 1 month or less, becoming fully proficient may take several months to more than a year of on-the-job training. Woodworkers also must be able to use computer-controlled machinery.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)73.1%
- Less than a High School Diploma20.7%
- Post-Secondary Certificate4.6%
- Bachelor's Degree1.7%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 73.1% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 20.7% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 4.6% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 1.7% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Woodworking Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, 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.
Woodworkers manufacture a variety of products, such as cabinets and furniture, using wood, veneers, and laminates. They often combine and incorporate different materials into wood.
Day-to-day tasks
- 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.
- Clean or maintain products, machines, or work areas.
- 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.
- Remove and replace worn parts, bits, belts, sandpaper, or shaping tools.
- Determine product specifications and materials, work methods, and machine setup requirements, according to blueprints, oral or written instructions, drawings, or work orders.
- Install and adjust blades, cutterheads, boring-bits, or sanding-belts, using hand tools and rules.
- Examine raw woodstock for defects and to ensure conformity to size and other specification standards.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most woodworkers work full time during regular business hours. Work schedules vary for some woodworkers.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayRarely works in a climate-controlled indoor space.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the timeRegular bending or twisting.
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Monitoring3.1
- Speaking3.0
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Active Listening2.9
- Reading Comprehension2.8
- Active Learning2.5
- Mathematics2.4
- Learning Strategies2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 |
| Active Listening | 2.9 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.8 |
| Active Learning | 2.5 |
| Mathematics | 2.4 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring3.6
- Operation and Control3.5
- Quality Control Analysis3.3
- Equipment Maintenance3.0
- Troubleshooting3.0
- Equipment Selection2.9
- Repairing2.9
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.6 |
| Operation and Control | 3.5 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.3 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.0 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.0 |
| Equipment Selection | 2.9 |
| Repairing | 2.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software · in demand
- Desktop publishing software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Woodworking Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Except Sawing?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Woodworking Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Except Sawing |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional4.1
- Investigative2.4
- Social1.2
- Artistic1.1
- Enterprising1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Woodworking Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Except Sawing
O*NET related occupations
- Production
Sawing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Wood
$42,770median a year
Most earn $31K to $58K
−1.0%High school - Production
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender
$46,570median a year
Most earn $36K to $61K
−0.9%High school - Production
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic
$46,550median a year
Most earn $36K to $63K
−10.8%High school - Production
Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic
$52,800median a year
Most earn $38K to $81K
−13.2%High school - Production
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic
$50,620median a year
Most earn $37K to $70K
−11.3%High school - Production
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic
$46,330median a year
Most earn $36K to $66K
−10.5%High school
More production careers
Median annual pay, with woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing highlighted
- Power Plant Operator$102,040
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Machinist$58,750
- Welder$53,750
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- Woodworking Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Except Sawing$43,380
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$40,140
- Baker$37,160
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $64,050 |
| Machinist | $58,750 |
| Welder | $53,750 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Woodworking Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Except Sawing | $43,380 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Woodworking Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Except Sawing appears on
Questions
Woodworking Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Except Sawing: frequently asked questions
How much do Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing make?
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing earn a median of $43,380 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 15% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $20.86/hr. The middle half earn between $37,100 and $48,720. The top 10% earn $56,830 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Woodworking Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Except Sawing?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 73.1% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Woodworking Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Except Sawing a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 2.5% over 2025–2035, a loss of 1,500 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 5,300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Woodworking Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Except Sawing do?
Woodworkers manufacture a variety of products, such as cabinets and furniture, using wood, veneers, and laminates. A core O*NET task: 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. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Computer aided manufacturing CAM software, Desktop publishing software.
Which states pay Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing the most?
The highest state medians for Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing are Washington ($52,980), Minnesota ($51,540), Iowa ($51,200) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Iowa moves to the top at $58,340.
What personality type suits a Woodworking Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Except Sawing?
O*NET scores Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.