Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood
Production
The day is spent setting up and running saws that cut wood to size—circular saws, band saws, ripsaws, scroll saws, and sometimes CNC equipment. Operators measure and mark stock, inspect it for defects or grade, then check finished cuts with rulers, squares, or calipers. They mount and adjust blades, change speed and tension, clear jams, and sharpen or replace worn blades. Workpieces may be guided by hand or by automatic feeds. It suits people who like precise, hands-on machine work and keeping equipment in good running order.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$42'770
Median Wage Market Position
$42'770
What you might do
- Cut wood to size on circular or band saws
- Measure pieces and mark them for cutting
- Mount blades and bolt them to the shaft
- Feed stock through the saw or automatic feeder
- Grade wood and look for defects in stock
- Sharpen dull blades or swap them out
Skills that matter
- Mounting and aligning blades on saw shafts
- Measuring stock and marking cut lines
- Clearing jams and adjusting blade tension
- Sharpening or replacing worn saw blades
- Confirming cut sizes with rulers and squares
- Following spoken cut sizes and grades
AI & the future of this role
Saw lines already rely on CNC and guided cuts, so smarter software may absorb more routine setup and tending. Material judgment, troubleshooting jams, and keeping equipment running safely still tend to need experienced operators.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details