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Woodworking machine operator (except sawing): pay, outlook and how to start

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

$43,380median pay per year, or $20.86 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $32,110lowest 10% earn less
  2. $37,10025th percentile
  3. $43,380median
  4. $48,72075th percentile
  5. $56,830top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Woodworking machine setters, operators and tenders, except sawing, had a median pay of $43,380 a year in May 2025[1]. Employment is projected to decline 2.5% from 2025 to 2035, while all occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
-2.5%[2]
Openings per year
5,300[6]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[7]

How much do woodworking machine operators make?

The median wage was $43,380 a year, or $20.86 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. The average was $43,570 a year, or $20.95 an hour[8]. The median for all occupations was $50,980 a year[5].

Here are the percentiles[4][9]:

Percentile Annual wage Hourly wage
10th[4][9] $32,110 $15.44
25th[4][9] $37,100 $17.84
Median[1] $43,380 $20.86
75th[4][9] $48,720 $23.42
90th[4][9] $56,830 $27.32

A percentile is a boundary. The lowest-paid 10% of workers earned less than $32,110[4][10]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[10].

These figures cover wage and salary workers, part time and full time. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses or the cost of benefits[11]. About 61,420 people held these jobs on a wage or salary basis[12].

Pay by state and city

Washington had the highest median wage at $52,980[13]. Minnesota came next at $51,540, then Iowa at $51,200[13]. Texas was the lowest of the 47 states with published data, at $33,840[13].

Michigan had the most jobs (5,250), followed by North Carolina (4,090), Indiana (3,570), California (3,530) and Pennsylvania (3,310)[14].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs[15], the Minneapolis area (Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington) had the highest median at $56,950[15]. Albany, OR and Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue were next, both at $56,180[15]. The Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood area had the most jobs (2,780), with a median of $47,720[16].

Show median pay in 47 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Washington[13]$52,9801,250
Minnesota$51,540710
Iowa$51,2001,100
New Jersey$49,680410
Oregon$49,4802,120
Nebraska$49,190490
Michigan$47,6805,250
Louisiana$47,170400
Connecticut$47,140150
Colorado$46,500440
Vermont$46,480200
Maryland$46,470420
New Hampshire$46,450440
Massachusetts$46,430890
California$46,3703,530
Rhode Island$45,880100
North Dakota$45,820280
Idaho$45,730830
Montana$45,610360
Pennsylvania$44,9803,310
Wisconsin$44,4502,610
Maine$44,370440
Ohio$43,9302,710
New York$43,7201,250
Kansas$43,580470
Mississippi$42,090860
South Carolina$41,9901,660
South Dakota$41,740490
Indiana$41,6003,570
Illinois$41,3601,820
Nevada$41,090310
West Virginia$40,020280
Wyoming$39,93040
Arizona$39,4401,430
Virginia$39,3701,520
Utah$39,2601,050
Florida$38,7401,840
New Mexico$38,650150
Missouri$38,640940
Kentucky$38,0801,320
North Carolina$37,5504,090
Georgia$37,3802,280
Arkansas$36,850760
Alabama$36,7502,580
Oklahoma$35,990260
Tennessee$35,2901,840
Texas$33,8402,130

How to become a woodworking machine operator

The usual path needs little formal schooling:

In an O*NET survey of 29 workers, 73% said a high school diploma or equivalent was required and 21% said less than a high school diploma[18]. That is a small survey.

BLS describes the wider woodworker group, not only this occupation[19]. For that group, some entry-level jobs can be learned in a month or less, and becoming fully skilled may take several months to more than a year[20]. Woodworkers also must be able to use computer-controlled machinery[20].

Some workers train through apprenticeships offered by employers or unions[21]. Credentials are not required, but they can show skill and help with advancement[22]. Because CNC machines are common in production, CNC certification may help. Community colleges and machine makers offer it[23].

Experienced workers may move up to team lead or floor supervisor roles[24].

What woodworking machine operators do

These workers set up, run or tend woodworking machines, including drill presses, lathes, routers, sanders and planers. Some run computer-controlled equipment[25]. Typical tasks include:

O*NET workers report job titles such as cabinet maker, router operator and sander[27].

Where they work

For woodworkers as a group, furniture and related product manufacturing was the largest employer, at 42% of jobs in 2025[28].

Conditions vary. Workers sometimes handle heavy, bulky material and meet noise and dust, so they often wear hearing protection, safety glasses and respirators[29]. Hazards can also include chemicals and fumes[30]. Common injuries are sprains, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and hernias[31]. Most woodworkers have full-time jobs with regular business hours, and schedules vary for some[32].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to decline 2.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 60,900 to 59,400 jobs[2]. These counts include the self-employed, so they differ from the OEWS count above[12][2]. Across all occupations, BLS projects 3.5% growth[3].

Jobs still open up. About 5,300 openings are projected each year, on average[6]. Openings include jobs left by workers who retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 3% of workers leave the labor force and 6.1% move to a different occupation[33].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job that is easy to enter. A high school diploma is the typical education, and training happens on the job[7]. Median pay is below the all-occupations median[1][5]. Employment is projected to shrink, though turnover still creates about 5,300 openings a year[2][6]. The work involves heavy materials, noise and dust, and injury risks, so it suits people who are comfortable with that[29][31].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[34].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a woodworking machine operator make an hour?
The median was $20.86 an hour in May 2025[1]. The middle half earned between $17.84 and $23.42 an hour[9].
What education do you need to be a woodworking machine operator?
The typical entry education is a high school diploma or equivalent, with moderate-term on-the-job training[7].
Is woodworking machine operating in demand?
Employment is projected to fall 2.5% from 2025 to 2035, but about 5,300 openings are projected each year from turnover[2][6].
What is the highest paying state for woodworking machine operators?
Washington had the highest median at $52,980, followed by Minnesota at $51,540[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing in the US was $43,380 per year and $20.86 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing is projected to decline 2.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 60,900 to 59,400 jobs (a change of -1,500). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing: 10th percentile $32,110, 25th percentile $37,100, 75th percentile $48,720, 90th percentile $56,830. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 5,300 openings for Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing 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
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing: 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
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing was $43,570 per year and $20.95 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing: 10th percentile $15.44, 25th percentile $17.84, 75th percentile $23.42, 90th percentile $27.32. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 61,420 people were employed as Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. Median annual wage for Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing jobs: Michigan 5,250; North Carolina 4,090; Indiana 3,570; California 3,530; Pennsylvania 3,310. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing (areas with at least 100 jobs): Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $56,950; Albany, OR $56,180; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $56,180; Bend, OR $55,400; Medford, OR $52,390; Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA $51,730; Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ $51,030; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $50,970. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing jobs: Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI 2,780 (median $47,720); Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 1,250 (median $40,440); Elkhart-Goshen, IN 1,070 (median $44,790); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 1,010 (median $37,370); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 920 (median $42,860); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 850 (median $45,660). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. O*NET 51-7042.00 survey of workers (29 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 73%, Less than a High School Diploma 21% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  19. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Woodworkers" covers Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. O*NET description of Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET task list for Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing. O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET 51-7042.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Boring Machine Operator, Cabinet Maker, Knot Saw Operator, Lathe Operator, Machine Operator, Molder Operator, Router Operator, Sander. O*NET OnLine
  28. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of woodworkers in 2025: Furniture and related product manufacturing 42%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing: 3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  34. 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.