Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

SOC code 51-7042 · O*NET-SOC 51-7042.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Manufacturing and production

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$43,380

a year

Hourly

$20.86

per hour

10th$32,110Median$43,38090th$56,830

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$43,570

$20.95 per hour

Middle 50%

$37,100 – $48,720

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$32,110 – $56,830

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

61,420

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $32,110; $15.44/hr
25th percentile: $37,100; $17.84/hr
Median percentile: $43,380; $20.86/hr
75th percentile: $48,720; $23.42/hr
90th percentile: $56,830; $27.32/hr

What do 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.

The tasks that matter most day to day

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.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 73% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)73%
Less than a High School Diploma21%
Post-Secondary Certificate5%
Bachelor's Degree2%

Common questions

How much does a woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing earn?

The national median is $43,380 a year. The full range runs from $32,110 at the 10th percentile to $56,830 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Monitoring3.1/5
Speaking3.0/5
Critical Thinking3.0/5
Active Listening2.9/5

Knowledge areas

Mechanical3.3/5
Production and Processing3.0/5
Mathematics2.9/5
Public Safety and Security2.5/5

Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Quality Control Analysis, Equipment Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Equipment Selection.