What is the salary of a Woodworking Machine Setter, Operators, and Tenders?

The typical salary range is $28,308 - $56,616 per year.

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What does a typical day look like as a Woodworking Machine Setter, Operators, and Tenders?

Supply Chain & ProductionDeclining

Woodworking Machine Setter, Operators, and Tenders

Operational-level

Also known as: Adzing and Boring Machine Operator, Artificial Log Machine Operator, Automatic Clipper, Automatic Nailing Machine Operator

Supply Chain & ProductionBachelor's Degree

Job Description

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.

WoodworkingMachine OperationCNC MachiningWood ProductionManufacturingSkilled TradesIndustrial TechnologySkilled TradeProduction

A Day in the Life

You step into the bustling custom millwork shop, the air already thick with the sweet, familiar scent of sawdust and the low hum of distant machinery. Ear protection goes in, a reflex. Your eyes scan the production board, noting today's focus: a batch of custom cabinet doors. First up, you head to the CNC router. You retrieve the design files from the computer, checking material stock – oak panels are loaded onto the machine bed, ready for precise cuts.

Skills employers are looking for in 2027

Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.

Hot technologies

Adobe Acrobat Adobe Creative Cloud software Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Adobe Photoshop Apple macOS Autodesk AutoCAD Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word Oracle Java

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Projected growth

-2.5%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

5,300

per year (US)

Jobs today

60,900

in 2025 → 59,400 (2035)

Typical entry education

High school diploma or equivalent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook. Read the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Work Environment

How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.

Email & digital communication

Low

Working in a team

High

Contact with others

Moderate

Freedom to make decisions

High

Time pressure

High

Time spent sitting

Low

Working outdoors

Low

Indoor, climate-controlled

Low

Dealing with customers

Low

Level of competition

Moderate

Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)

Future Perspective

Declining Job Market

This career is projected to decline by 2.5% through 2035, with about 5,300 job openings available each year. The median annual wage is around $43,380. People in this role typically advance to positions like CNC Programmer or Shop Supervisor.

Career ladder

Often before this role

Machine Operator Assistant
Entry-level Production Worker
Wood Assembler

Woodworking Machine Setter, Operators, and Tenders

Where it can lead

CNC Programmer
Shop Supervisor
Industrial Maintenance Technician

Impact of AI on this Job

Over the next 5-10 years, AI and advanced automation will likely lead to increased efficiency and precision in woodworking, but also potentially a decline in demand for purely manual machine tending roles. CNC machines integrated with AI could optimize cutting patterns and predict maintenance needs, transforming the operator's role into one focused more on programming, oversight, and troubleshooting rather than direct operation. While some tasks may be automated, the need for skilled individuals to set up, maintain, and supervise complex machinery will remain crucial.

Salary

$43,380

Median annual wage, BLS 2025

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum educational requirement for this position