Education:
59%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
22%
Less than a High School Diploma
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood
This is a sub-career of
Woodworker
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Select a specialized sub-career for more details.
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Job Outlook:
Little or no change
Education:
High school diploma or equivalent
Salary
High:
$49,500.00
Average:
$37,450.00
Hourly
Average:
$18.00
What they do:
Set up, operate, or tend wood sawing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment. Includes lead sawyers.
On the job, you would:
- 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.
Important Qualities
Detail oriented. Woodworkers must pay attention to details in order to meet specifications and to keep themselves safe.
Dexterity. Woodworkers must make precise cuts with a variety of handtools and power tools, so they need good hand-eye coordination.
Math skills. Woodworkers need to understand basic geometry in order to visualize how a three-dimensional wooden object, such as a cabinet or piece of furniture, will fit together.
Mechanical skills. The use of handtools, such as screwdrivers and wrenches, is required to set up, adjust, and calibrate machines. These automated systems also require woodworkers to use computers and other programmable devices.
Physical stamina. Woodworkers often stand for long periods performing many of the same functions.
Physical strength. Woodworkers must be able to lift bulky, heavy pieces of wood.
Technical skills. Woodworkers must be able to interpret design drawings and technical manuals for a range of products and machines. They also should be able to troubleshoot issues as they arise.
Personality
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Characteristics of this Career |
|---|---|---|---|
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83% | Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. | |
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82% | Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. | |
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79% | Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. | |
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79% | Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. | |
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76% | Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. | |
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76% | Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical. | |
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75% | Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. | |
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74% | Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. | |
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73% | Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. | |
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72% | Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
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100% | Realistic - Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services. | |
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67% | Conventional - Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Values of the Work Environment |
|---|---|---|---|
|
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72% | Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. |
Aptitude
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality |
|---|---|---|---|
|
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66% | Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions. |
Job Details
Responsibilities
Set equipment controls to meet cutting specifications.
Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
Inspect lumber or raw woodstock.
Set equipment controls to meet cutting specifications.
Inspect lumber or raw woodstock.
Operate woodworking equipment.
Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
Clear equipment jams.
Select production input materials.
Select production equipment according to product specifications.
Maneuver workpieces in equipment during production.
Operate cutting equipment.
Set equipment guides, stops, spacers, or other fixtures.
Sharpen cutting or grinding tools.
Replace worn equipment components.
Count finished products or workpieces.
Sort materials or products for processing, storing, shipping, or grading.
Stack finished items for further processing or shipment.
Clean production equipment.
Lubricate production equipment.
Clear equipment jams.
Dispose of trash or waste materials.
Measure materials to mark reference points, cutting lines, or other indicators.
Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
Study blueprints or other instructions to determine equipment setup requirements.
Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
Operate cutting equipment.
Trim excess material from workpieces.
Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
Position raw materials on processing or production equipment.
Shape metal workpieces with hammers or other small hand tools.
Cut industrial materials in preparation for fabrication or processing.
Remove products or workpieces from production equipment.
Lift materials or workpieces using cranes or other lifting equipment.
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent |
|---|---|---|---|
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100% | Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets - How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets? | |
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98% | Exposed to Hazardous Equipment - How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment? | |
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94% | Exposed to Contaminants - How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)? | |
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92% | Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable - How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable? | |
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90% | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? | |
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88% | Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)? | |
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87% | Spend Time Standing - How much does this job require standing? | |
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86% | Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls? | |
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83% | Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? | |
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80% | Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment - How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.) | |
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80% | Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? | |
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80% | Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? | |
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76% | Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? | |
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74% | Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? | |
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71% | Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions - How much does this job require making repetitive motions? | |
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69% | Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body - How much does this job require bending or twisting your body? | |
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68% | Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? | |
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68% | Very Hot or Cold Temperatures - How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures? |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Tasks & Values |
|---|---|---|---|
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78% | Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. | |
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78% | Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). | |
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68% | Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. | |
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66% | Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
What Woodworkers Do
Woodworkers ensure that products meet industry standards and project specifications.
Woodworkers manufacture a variety of products, such as cabinets and furniture, using wood, veneers, and laminates. They often combine and incorporate different materials into wood.
Duties
Woodworkers typically do the following:
- Read detailed architectural drawings, schematics, shop drawings, and blueprints
- Prepare and set up machines and tooling for woodwork manufacturing
- Lift wood pieces onto machines, either by hand or with hoists
- Operate woodworking machines, including saws and milling and sanding machines
- Listen for unusual sounds and watch for excessive vibration in machinery
- Ensure that products meet industry standards and project specifications, adjusting as necessary
- Select the proper cutting, milling, boring, and sanding tools for completing a job
- Use handtools to trim pieces or assemble products
- Maintain machines, such as by cleaning and oiling them or replacing worn blades
Woodworkers make products from lumber and synthetic wood materials. Many of these products, including most furniture, kitchen cabinets, and musical instruments, are mass produced. Other products are custom made from architectural designs and drawings.
Modern woodworking is highly technical. Skilled operators use automated machinery, such as computerized numerical control (CNC) machines, to ensure accuracy in all phases of their work. Woodworkers do many of their tasks on an assembly line, but some customized work must be done by hand.
Woodworkers set up, operate, and tend all types of woodworking machines, such as saws, milling machines, drill presses, sanders, and wood-fastening machines. Operators use equipment to cut and shape wooden parts and to verify dimensions, using a template, caliper, and rule. Woodworkers add fasteners and adhesives and connect the parts to form an assembled unit. They also install hardware, such as pulls and drawer slides, and fit specialty products for glass, metal trims, electrical components, and stone. Finally, workers sand, stain, and, if necessary, coat the wood product with a sealer or topcoats, such as a lacquer or varnish.
The following are examples of types of woodworkers:
Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters cut, shape, and assemble parts for wood products. They often design and create sets of customized cabinets, sometimes seeing a project all the way through to installation.
Furniture finishers shape, finish, and refinish damaged and worn furniture. They may work with antiques and must judge how to preserve and repair them. They also do the staining, sealing, and top coating at the end of the production process.
Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders use band saws, circular saws, hack saws, or other equipment to cut wood. They also use drill presses, lathes, sanders, and other types of woodworking equipment to smooth and shape wood.
Work Environment
Woodworkers held about 238,900 jobs in 2022. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up woodworkers was distributed as follows:
| Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters | 105,700 |
| Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing | 64,600 |
| Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood | 49,400 |
| Furniture finishers | 19,200 |
The largest employers of woodworkers were as follows:
| Furniture and related product manufacturing | 40% |
| Wood product manufacturing | 36 |
| Self-employed workers | 7 |
| Specialty trade contractors | 3 |
Working conditions vary. At times, woodworkers handle heavy, bulky materials and may encounter noise and dust. As a result, they regularly wear hearing protection, safety glasses, and respirators or masks.
Injuries and Illnesses
Wood sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. These workers use saws and other tools and equipment that may be dangerous and can cause cuts or lacerations. Workers must wear safety equipment and be mindful of their surroundings to avoid injury.
Woodworkers are exposed to hazards such as harmful dust, chemicals, or fumes, and often wear a respirator or mask. Others may be exposed to excessive noise and wear hearing protection.
Most injuries involve sprains, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and hernias. These injuries come from awkward bending, reaching, or twisting and overexertion or repetition.
Work Schedules
Most woodworkers work full time during regular business hours. Work schedules vary for some woodworkers.
Getting Started
How to Become a Woodworker
After high school, most woodworkers are trained on the job, learning from more experienced workers.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required to become a woodworker. Although some entry-level jobs may be learned in 1 month or less, becoming fully proficient may take several months to more than a year of on-the-job training. Woodworkers also must be able to use computer-controlled machinery.
Education
A high school diploma is typically required to enter the occupation. Training in computer applications and math may enhance employment prospects.
For woodworking production jobs, employers may prefer to hire candidates who have taken some vocational-technical or college courses.
Training
Typically, entry-level woodworkers train on the job, learning their skills from experienced workers. Beginning workers do basic tasks, such as feeding a piece of wood through a machine and stacking the finished product at the end of the process. As they gain experience, woodworkers do more complex tasks with less supervision.
Becoming a skilled woodworker often takes several months or years. Skilled woodworkers read blueprints, set up machines, and plan work sequences.
Some workers also receive training through apprenticeships offered by employers or unions.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Although not required, credentials often demonstrate competence and professionalism. They also may help a candidate advance in the occupation.
The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America offers a national certificate program, with five progressive credentials.
Because of the prevalence of CNC machines in production, workers also may benefit from obtaining CNC machine certification. Certification is offered by community colleges and CNC machine manufacturers.
Advancement
With experience, skilled woodworkers may advance to other positions that offer greater responsibility. For example, they may be promoted to team lead or floor supervisor, positions in which they help to oversee the work of other woodworkers.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of woodworkers is projected to show little or no change from 2022 to 2032.
Despite limited employment growth, about 23,400 openings for woodworkers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment
Overall demand for woodworkers is expected to be limited by automation, especially the use of computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines in wood product manufacturing. However, demand for some wood products, such as those used in home renovation projects and outdoor structures for restaurants and other businesses, may sustain demand for some woodworkers.
Contacts for More Information
For details about apprenticeships or other work opportunities for woodworkers, contact the offices of the state employment service, the state apprenticeship agency, local firms that employ laborers, or local union-management apprenticeship committees. Apprenticeship information is available from the U.S. Department of Labor's Apprenticeship program online or by phone at 877-872-5627. Visit Apprenticeship.gov to search for apprenticeship opportunities.
For more information about woodworkers, visit
Architectural Woodwork Institute
Association for Manufacturing Technology
Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International
National Tooling and Machining Association
Woodwork Career Alliance of North America
Similar Occupations
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of woodworkers.
| Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Carpenters |
Carpenters construct, repair, and install building frameworks and structures made from wood and other materials. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $51,390 |
|
Computer Programmers |
Computer programmers write, modify, and test code and scripts that allow computer software and applications to function properly. |
Bachelor's degree | $97,800 |
|
Craft and Fine Artists |
Craft and fine artists use a variety of materials and techniques to create art for sale and exhibition. |
See How to Become One | $53,140 |
|
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers |
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers design, construct, adjust, repair, appraise and sell jewelry. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $47,140 |
|
Machinists and Tool and Die Makers |
Machinists and tool and die makers set up and operate equipment to produce precision metal parts, instruments, and tools. |
See How to Become One | $49,560 |
|
Sheet Metal Workers |
Sheet metal workers fabricate or install products that are made from thin metal sheets. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $55,350 |
|
Ironworkers |
Ironworkers install structural and reinforcing iron and steel to form and support buildings, bridges, and roads. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $58,330 |