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Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
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.
Other titles employers use
Boring Machine Operator · Cabinet Maker · Knot Saw Operator · Lathe Operator · Machine Operator · Molder Operator · Router Operator · Sander
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Quality Control Analysis
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
Subjects to know
- Mechanical
Useful strengths
- Reaction Time
- Near Vision
- Manual Dexterity
- Control Precision
- Oral Comprehension
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.0 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 4.7 | Standing or moving for most of it |
| Talking face to face | 4.8 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.8 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 94%
- A certificate or some college 4%
- A four-year degree 2%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Operating system software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Document management software
- Desktop publishing software
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 4,490
- Job openings each year
- 420
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- —
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 4,490 | 420 | — |
| North Carolina | 4,170 | 400 | 5.6% |
| California | 3,300 | 300 | — |
| Wisconsin | 3,290 | 310 | 4.8% |
| Texas | 3,030 | 290 | 5.2% |
| Alabama | 2,950 | 290 | 9.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 2,940 | 270 | — |
| Tennessee | 2,760 | 270 | 9.1% |
| Ohio | 2,620 | 240 | −1.5% |
| Michigan | 2,450 | 220 | −2.4% |
| Georgia | 2,440 | 240 | 13.5% |
| Washington | 2,260 | 200 | −2.6% |
| Oregon | 2,190 | 210 | 3.8% |
| Iowa | 1,970 | 190 | 7.7% |
| Virginia | 1,820 | 160 | −3.7% |
| Kentucky | 1,740 | 160 | — |
| Florida | 1,520 | 150 | 16.9% |
| Arkansas | 1,410 | 140 | 6.8% |
| New York | 1,390 | 0 | −16.8% |
| South Carolina | 1,320 | 130 | 4.8% |
| Arizona | 1,180 | 120 | 20.4% |
| Illinois | 1,180 | 110 | 6.3% |
| Mississippi | 1,150 | 110 | −2.5% |
| Utah | 990 | 100 | 17.9% |
| Missouri | 940 | 90 | −2.1% |
| Idaho | 750 | 70 | 4.2% |
| Minnesota | 710 | 70 | 6.0% |
| West Virginia | 660 | 60 | −1.5% |
| Maine | 540 | 50 | −6.9% |
| Kansas | 530 | 50 | −3.6% |
| Montana | 520 | 50 | 8.3% |
| South Dakota | 430 | 40 | 10.3% |
| Colorado | 420 | 40 | 7.7% |
| New Hampshire | 370 | 30 | — |
| Nebraska | 360 | 30 | 5.9% |
| Maryland | 340 | 30 | 17.2% |
| Vermont | 340 | 30 | −12.8% |
| Oklahoma | 280 | 30 | — |
| Massachusetts | 270 | 30 | 8.0% |
| Nevada | 250 | 20 | −13.8% |
| New Mexico | 240 | 20 | 4.3% |
| Connecticut | 220 | 20 | 4.8% |
| New Jersey | 190 | 20 | 5.6% |
| North Dakota | 190 | 20 | 11.8% |
| Puerto Rico | 110 | 10 | — |
| Rhode Island | 110 | 10 | — |
| Delaware | 60 | 10 | 20.0% |
| Alaska | 50 | 10 | — |
Career to college
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Where to study
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