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Saw operator: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$46,330median pay per year, or $22.27 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $35,760lowest 10% earn less
  2. $38,87025th percentile
  3. $46,330median
  4. $55,41075th percentile
  5. $65,510top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

A saw operator falls under the BLS category Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, with a median pay of $46,330 a year in May 2025[1]. Employment is projected to decline 10.5% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
-10.5%[2]
Openings per year
13,200[5]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[6]

How much do saw operators make?

The median pay for this occupation was $46,330 a year, or $22.27 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $48,430 a year, or $23.28 an hour[7].

The median for all occupations was $50,980 a year[4]. The median here sat below it.

Pay spread widely in May 2025:

Percentile Annual Hourly
10th[3][8] $35,760 $17.19
25th[3][8] $38,870 $18.69
Median[1] $46,330 $22.27
75th[3][8] $55,410 $26.64
90th[3][8] $65,510 $31.50

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $35,760, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $65,510[3]. BLS publishes percentile wages, which are boundaries, and not a starting salary[9].

The figures cover wage and salary workers only. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits[10].

Pay by state and city

Among 49 states with published data, Oregon had the highest median at $53,680[11]. Maine followed at $51,820 and Washington at $51,160[11]. New Mexico had the lowest median at $39,430[11].

Michigan had the most jobs at 22,060[12]. Ohio had 13,350, Texas 13,290, Indiana 9,680 and Pennsylvania 8,890[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Flint, MI had the highest median at $78,600[13]. Rome, GA was next at $63,740 and Oshkosh-Neenah, WI at $62,250[13]. The metro area with the most jobs was Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI with 11,650[14]. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN had 6,320[14].

Show median pay in 49 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Oregon[11]$53,6801,180
Maine$51,820180
Washington$51,1601,750
Colorado$50,7901,400
Minnesota$49,7706,130
Wisconsin$49,2707,960
Alaska$49,01080
Illinois$48,9908,060
Nebraska$48,6901,320
Montana$48,490130
California$48,4507,710
North Dakota$48,400230
Missouri$48,3103,240
Iowa$48,2402,030
Rhode Island$48,170470
New Hampshire$48,110600
Pennsylvania$47,8608,890
Nevada$47,690580
Maryland$47,320270
Virginia$47,3001,790
Indiana$46,9809,680
New York$46,9303,340
Wyoming$46,89060
Kansas$46,8401,900
Utah$46,6701,050
Arizona$46,6101,100
Connecticut$46,2802,030
Michigan$46,12022,060
South Dakota$46,060490
Kentucky$45,7607,290
Massachusetts$45,7602,590
New Jersey$45,6801,950
Arkansas$45,5803,020
Ohio$45,23013,350
Georgia$45,0805,260
Tennessee$44,7805,380
South Carolina$44,4204,100
Alabama$43,8306,000
Vermont$43,56070
North Carolina$43,4003,940
West Virginia$43,070290
Texas$42,72013,290
Delaware$41,640240
Oklahoma$40,9302,480
Louisiana$40,870760
Mississippi$40,6501,700
Idaho$39,580720
Florida$39,4402,740
New Mexico$39,430220

How to become a saw operator

BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent for entry, no related work experience, and moderate-term on-the-job training[6]. The training details below come from a BLS profile that covers a wider group of metal and plastic machine workers[15].

Training time depends on how complex the equipment is[18]. Some workers learn basic machine operations in a few months, while CNC tool operators may train for up to 1 year[18]. Some community colleges and other schools offer courses and certificate programs for these machines[19]. Training on CAD, CAM and CNC equipment may also be helpful[20].

Certification can show competence and help with advancement[21]. In an O*NET survey of 17 workers, 63% said a high school diploma or equivalent was required and 35% said a post-secondary certificate[22].

What saw operators do

Workers set up, run or tend machines that do jobs such as sawing, cutting, shearing, punching, bending and straightening on metal or plastic[23]. Job titles include saw operator, press brake operator, punch press operator and die setter[24]. O*NET lists tasks like these[25]:

Where they work

The same wider BLS profile says fabricated metal product manufacturing was the largest employer of metal and plastic machine workers, at 25% in 2025[26][15]. The machines can be powerful, fast and dangerous, so workers follow safety rules and usually wear protective gear such as safety glasses, earplugs and steel-toed boots[27]. Respirators are common in plastics work near fumes or dust[28].

The profile says most of these workers are employed full time and some work more than 40 hours a week[29]. Evening and weekend work is also common because many factories run machines for long stretches[29]. The work can involve standing for long periods and repetitive tasks[30].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to decline 10.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 171,000 to 153,100 jobs[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same years[31]. BLS points to more use of CNC, automated and programmable machinery as a reason for the drop in share[32]. In May 2025, OEWS counted about 171,200 wage and salary jobs[33]. Only 0.4% of workers were self-employed in 2025[34].

Still, about 13,200 openings a year are projected on average[5]. Openings come from workers who leave as well as from new jobs[5]. Each year, 3.3% of workers leave the labor force and 6% move to a different occupation[35].

Is it a good fit?

The job asks for a high school diploma and no related experience, with training that can run from a few months to up to 1 year in the wider profile[6][18]. The median pay of $46,330 sat below the $50,980 median for all occupations[1][4]. Employment is projected to fall faster than the all-occupations rate of growth, though openings still come up each year[2][31][5]. Workers who gain skill and experience may move into setup, maintenance or supervisor roles[36][37].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[38].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a saw operator make an hour?
The median was $22.27 an hour in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $17.19 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $31.50[8].
How long does it take to become a saw operator?
In the wider BLS profile, some workers learn basic machine operations in a few months, while CNC tool operators may need up to 1 year[18][15].
What education do you need to be a saw operator?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent for entry, with no related work experience[6].
Is saw operator work in demand?
Employment is projected to decline 10.5% from 2025 to 2035, while about 13,200 openings are projected each year[2][5].
What is the highest paying state for saw operators?
Oregon had the highest median at $53,680 among the 49 states with published data[11].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in the US was $46,330 per year and $22.27 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is projected to decline 10.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 171,000 to 153,100 jobs (a change of -17,900). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: 10th percentile $35,760, 25th percentile $38,870, 75th percentile $55,410, 90th percentile $65,510. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 13,200 openings for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic was $48,430 per year and $23.28 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: 10th percentile $17.19, 25th percentile $18.69, 75th percentile $26.64, 90th percentile $31.50. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic jobs: Michigan 22,060; Ohio 13,350; Texas 13,290; Indiana 9,680; Pennsylvania 8,890. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (areas with at least 100 jobs): Flint, MI $78,600; Rome, GA $63,740; Oshkosh-Neenah, WI $62,250; Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $60,230; Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ $60,080; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $58,580; Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $58,240; Lincoln, NE $57,780. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic jobs: Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI 11,650 (median $50,460); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 6,320 (median $50,770); Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI 4,490 (median $48,710); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 4,440 (median $43,950); Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI 4,270 (median $42,050); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 3,810 (median $43,420). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Metal and Plastic Machine Workers" covers Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. O*NET 51-4031.00 survey of workers (17 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 63%, Post-Secondary Certificate 35% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  23. O*NET description of Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET 51-4031.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Die Setter, Fabrication Operator, Machine Operator, Machine Setter, Press Brake Operator, Press Operator, Punch Press Operator, Saw Operator. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET task list for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic. O*NET OnLine
  26. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of metal and plastic machine workers in 2025: Fabricated metal product manufacturing 25%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  32. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: Productivity change - share decreases as manufacturers are expected to use more CNC, automated, and programmable machinery to perform some functions or tasks previously done by these workers. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 171,200 people were employed as Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  34. BLS Employment Projections: 0.4% of Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: 3.3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  36. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  37. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  38. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.