Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Set up, operate, or tend woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, and wood nailing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment.

On the job, you would:

Set up, program, operate, or tend computerized or manual woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, or wood-nailing machines.
Examine finished workpieces for smoothness, shape, angle, depth-of-cut, or conformity to specifications and verify dimensions, visually and using hands, rules, calipers, templates, or gauges.
Start machines, adjust controls, and make trial cuts to ensure that machinery is operating properly.

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
		85%	Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
		80%	Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
		68%	Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
		67%	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.
		65%	Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
		63%	Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
		63%	Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
		62%	Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
		62%	Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
		61%	Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
		59%	Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
		58%	Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
		57%	Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
		53%	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
		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.
		61%	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
		78%	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
		66%	Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
		66%	Reaction Time - The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
		63%	Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
		63%	Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
		60%	Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
		56%	Trunk Strength - The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
		56%	Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
		56%	Multilimb Coordination - The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
		56%	Static Strength - The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
		53%	Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
		53%	Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.
		53%	Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
		53%	Auditory Attention - The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
		53%	Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
		53%	Finger Dexterity - The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
		53%	Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

Job Details

Responsibilities

Conduct test runs of production equipment.

Operate woodworking equipment.

Determine production equipment settings.

Select production input materials.

Feed materials or products into or through equipment.

Set equipment controls to meet cutting specifications.

Monitor equipment operation to ensure that products are not flawed.

Operate woodworking equipment.

Select production equipment according to product specifications.

Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.

Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.

Set equipment controls to meet cutting specifications.

Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.

Stack finished items for further processing or shipment.

Maneuver workpieces in equipment during production.

Set equipment controls to meet cutting specifications.

Inspect production equipment.

Remove accessories, tools, or other parts from equipment.

Replace worn equipment components.

Load materials into production equipment.

Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.

Clean work areas.

Clean production equipment.

Maintain production or processing equipment.

Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.

Set equipment guides, stops, spacers, or other fixtures.

Inspect lumber or raw woodstock.

Program equipment to perform production tasks.

Operate woodworking equipment.

Sharpen cutting or grinding tools.

Trim excess material from workpieces.

Remove products or workpieces from production equipment.

Operate woodworking equipment.

Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.

Lubricate production equipment.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent
		100%	Exposed to Contaminants - How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
		96%	Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
		95%	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?
		95%	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?
		94%	Spend Time Standing - How much does this job require standing?
		92%	Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)?
		89%	Exposed to Hazardous Equipment - How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
		85%	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
		84%	Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions - How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
		83%	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?
		80%	Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
		74%	Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
		71%	Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body - How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
		69%	Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
		68%	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?
		67%	Importance of Repeating Same Tasks - How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?
		66%	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?
		65%	Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
		63%	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?
		60%	Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
		60%	Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
		59%	Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings - How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
		58%	Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
		57%	Spend Time Walking and Running - How much does this job require walking and running?
		55%	Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
		54%	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.)
		51%	Physical Proximity - To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?
		67%	Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Tasks & Values
		75%	Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
		73%	Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
		70%	Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
		65%	Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
		63%	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.
		60%	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
		56%	Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
		54%	Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

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

Education:

73%

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

21%

Less than a High School Diploma

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

Wood Industry Resource Collaborative

Woodworking Machinery Industry Association

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

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Woodworker

What they do:

On the job, you would:

Important Qualities

Personality

Characteristics of this Career

Strengths

Values of the Work Environment

Aptitude

Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality

Job Details

Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent

Tasks & Values

What Woodworkers Do

Duties

Work Environment

Injuries and Illnesses

Work Schedules

Getting Started

How to Become a Woodworker

Education

Training

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Advancement

Job Outlook

Employment

Contacts for More Information

Similar Occupations