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Production

Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood

Set up, operate, or tend wood sawing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment. Includes lead sawyers.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood
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Median pay

$39,950
Median annual pay for Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

-0.6%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

4,800
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

45,000
Estimated U.S. employment for Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

-300
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Critical Thinking
  2. 2Monitoring
  3. 3Active Listening
  4. 4Speaking
  5. 5Reading Comprehension
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Production and Processing
  2. 2Mechanical
  3. 3Public Safety and Security
  4. 4Mathematics
  5. 5Education and Training
  6. 6English Language

Abilities

  1. 1Control Precision
  2. 2Arm-Hand Steadiness
  3. 3Manual Dexterity
  4. 4Near Vision
  5. 5Finger Dexterity
  6. 6Problem Sensitivity

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Investigative
  4. 4Social
  5. 5Artistic
  6. 6Enterprising

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Cautiousness
  4. 4Stress Tolerance
  5. 5Perseverance
  6. 6Integrity

Work activities

  1. 1Controlling Machines and Processes
  2. 2Handling and Moving Objects
  3. 3Performing General Physical Activities
  4. 4Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  5. 5Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  6. 6Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Work context

  1. 1Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  2. 2Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
  3. 3Exposed to Contaminants
  4. 4Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
  5. 5Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  6. 6Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

Representative tasks

  • Inspect and measure workpieces to mark for cuts and to verify the accuracy of cuts, using rulers, squares, or caliper rules.
  • Adjust saw blades, using wrenches and rulers, or by turning handwheels or pressing pedals, levers, or panel buttons.
  • Mount and bolt sawing blades or attachments to machine shafts.
  • Set up, operate, or tend saws or machines that cut or trim wood to specified dimensions, such as circular saws, band saws, multiple-blade sawing machines, scroll saws, ripsaws, or crozer machines.
  • Inspect stock for imperfections or to estimate grades or qualities of stock or workpieces.
  • Monitor sawing machines, adjusting speed and tension and clearing jams to ensure proper operation.
  • Sharpen blades, or replace defective or worn blades or bands, using hand tools.
  • Guide workpieces against saws, saw over workpieces by hand, or operate automatic feeding devices to guide cuts.

Software and tools

Adobe Acrobat · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyAutomated inventory softwareComputerized numerical control CNC software

The short answer

Set up, operate, or tend wood sawing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment. Includes lead sawyers.

The measurable national baseline is $39,950 median annual pay, -0.6% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034, and 4,800 projected openings per year. Use these figures as a national benchmark rather than a personal forecast; location, experience, employer, specialty, credentials, and hours can change individual outcomes.

Pay and the size of the opportunity

The national median-pay figure for Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood is $39,950. Current employment is 45,000, with projected 2034 employment of 44,700. Pay describes the middle worker nationally, not a guaranteed starting salary, and the employment totals describe the occupation's scale rather than the number of jobs available to one applicant.

Demand, growth, and annual openings

BLS projects -0.6% employment growth for Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood from 2024 to 2034 and about 4,800 openings per year. Growth measures whether the occupation is expanding, while annual openings also include replacement needs created when workers retire, change occupations, or leave the labor force.

Education and preparation

The typical BLS entry-education category is High school diploma or equivalent. Related work experience is None, and the listed on-the-job training category is Moderate-term on-the-job training. These categories summarize a national pathway; licensing, certification, portfolios, apprenticeships, or local employer requirements may add to it.

What the work involves

Set up, operate, or tend wood sawing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment. Includes lead sawyers.

A representative O*NET task is: Inspect and measure workpieces to mark for cuts and to verify the accuracy of cuts, using rulers, squares, or caliper rules. The broader activity profile emphasizes Controlling Machines and Processes, Handling and Moving Objects, Performing General Physical Activities.

Skills, knowledge, and tools

The strongest available O*NET skill signals are Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Active Listening. Leading knowledge areas are Production and Processing, Mechanical, Public Safety and Security. These are national occupational signals, so a specific employer may emphasize a different mix. Examples of software or tools associated with the occupation include Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint.

Common questions

What is the median pay for Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood?

The national median annual pay in the current dataset is $39,950. Actual pay varies by location, experience, employer, specialty, credentials, and hours.

Is demand growing for Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood?

BLS projects -0.6% employment growth from 2024 to 2034 and about 4,800 openings per year. Openings include both newly created positions and replacement demand.

What education is needed for Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood?

The typical BLS entry-education category is High school diploma or equivalent. Related experience, on-the-job training, licensing, or certification requirements may also apply.

What does Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood involve?

Set up, operate, or tend wood sawing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment. Includes lead sawyers.

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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