Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
Production
Work centers on drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, and nailing machines, including CNC models. After installing blades, cutterheads, bits, or sanding belts, the operator sets tables and guides, then makes trial cuts before a full run. Raw stock is checked for defects and size; finished pieces are judged by eye, hand, and gauges for smoothness, shape, angle, and depth. During a run, controls are watched and adjusted so the work matches the required dimensions. It suits people who like fine-tuning machines and checking work against a standard.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$43'380
Median Wage Market Position
$43'380
What you might do
- Program or tend lathes, routers, and planers
- Fit blades, bits, and sanding belts
- Run a trial cut and correct the settings
- Check finished work for shape and smoothness
- Sort raw stock for size and visible flaws
- Realign sanding and cutting guides by hand
Skills that matter
- Programming or tending lathes and routers
- Making trial cuts to confirm machine setup
- Checking smoothness, angle, and depth of cut
- Installing cutterheads, bits, and sanding belts
- Realigning guides to prevent surface defects
- Explaining machine problems as they arise
AI & the future of this role
Lathes, sanders, and CNC gear already automate much shaping, and better controls may cover more of the setup sequence. Operators who adjust for wood variation, finish quality, and downtime remain difficult to replace fully.
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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