PathMosaic
Career card

Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood

Also called: Resaw Operator, Rip Saw Operator, Saw Operator, Sawyer

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

Share on LinkedIn Download images

LinkedIn posts a link with a summary picture. Images: two pictures to save or post. PDF: the whole card. More

Median pay BLS, 2025$42,770
Openings a year BLS, 2025–354,500
Typical education to start BLSHigh school diploma or equivalent
AI exposure BLS, Aug 2026 Low
Projected job growth BLS, 2025–35 -1.0%

What the data says: AI could halve the time on 1 of its 22 tasks, and jobs are projected to shrink 1.0% by 2035. How to think about this →

About this projection

BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”

It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”

On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”

Recent conditions

  • In 2024, 3.2% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024
  • From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 5.4 hires for every 10 job openings in durable goods manufacturing, which employs about 84% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.

How to read these

Pay compared with all occupations BLS median wages Pays more than 16% of 825 occupations
lowest-paidhighest-paid

Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates

$35k$53knot published

Median pay in every state
StateMedianMiddle half earnJobs
Alabama$37,520$35,360 to $44,6501,880
Alaska$52,680$50,160 to $53,460100
Arizona$42,870$38,570 to $46,640310
Arkansas$36,740$31,840 to $46,7501,240
California$47,390$39,660 to $55,0203,230
Colorado$47,030$42,090 to $48,600350
Connecticut$51,150$41,430 to $58,270110
Florida$38,280$36,750 to $44,830740
Georgia$39,860$35,660 to $47,5401,930
Idaho$48,350$42,330 to $57,550700
Illinois$46,530$38,830 to $64,210470
Indiana$42,620$37,990 to $47,5101,270
Iowa$48,090$43,420 to $49,510240
Kansas$36,930$33,630 to $42,950110
Kentucky$36,810$29,490 to $42,7301,050
Louisiana$46,610$44,180 to $50,330500
Maine$46,210$41,570 to $49,880730
Maryland$47,060$39,800 to $125,830130
Massachusetts$47,210$45,480 to $64,44060
Michigan$40,260$37,170 to $47,0901,510
Minnesota$51,330$47,050 to $58,390500
Mississippi$36,960$32,210 to $46,0501,910
Missouri$38,030$35,830 to $45,1701,380
Montana$49,090$43,130 to $55,820280
Nebraska$46,970$45,330 to $52,360140
Nevada$39,350$31,380 to $49,350170
New Hampshire$46,090$37,630 to $50,000130
New Jersey$44,630$40,080 to $52,27080
New Mexico$34,720$33,280 to $43,58070
New York$42,250$37,270 to $48,7001,010
North Carolina$38,100$35,080 to $46,8602,020
Ohio$45,010$38,290 to $50,1602,180
Oklahoma$36,140$31,160 to $43,300250
Oregon$49,740$45,190 to $55,3802,010
Pennsylvania$40,590$36,930 to $47,7701,720
South Carolina$39,300$36,310 to $47,130810
South Dakota$37,480$33,920 to $43,680260
Tennessee$39,070$36,040 to $46,3201,510
Texas$36,740$32,950 to $44,2501,680
Utah$43,490$37,580 to $45,360180
Vermont$46,040$41,290 to $49,610230
Virginia$35,790$31,650 to $41,6001,580
Washington$51,940$46,370 to $60,6301,720
West Virginia$35,590$27,970 to $46,240360
Wisconsin$44,440$35,710 to $47,5701,880
Wyoming$39,470$34,880 to $44,37070

Nationally: $42,770. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this

How AI touches the work

What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.

AI could halve the time on 1 of its 22 tasks

0 · AI alone could halve the time 1 · AI + software built on it could 21 · Not much
AI ratingIts main tasks Share of Claude conversations
May 2026
Not much Inspect and measure workpieces to mark for cuts and to verify the accuracy of cuts, using rulers, squares, or caliper rules. Not published
Not much 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. Not published
Not much Adjust saw blades, using wrenches and rulers, or by turning handwheels or pressing pedals, levers, or panel buttons. Not published
Not much Monitor sawing machines, adjusting speed and tension and clearing jams to ensure proper operation. Not published
Not much Sharpen blades, or replace defective or worn blades or bands, using hand tools. Not published
Not much Mount and bolt sawing blades or attachments to machine shafts. Not published
See all 22 tasks
Not much Guide workpieces against saws, saw over workpieces by hand, or operate automatic feeding devices to guide cuts. Not published
Not much Inspect stock for imperfections or to estimate grades or qualities of stock or workpieces. Not published
Not much Clear machine jams, using hand tools. Not published
Not much Count, sort, or stack finished workpieces. Not published
Not much Lubricate or clean machines, using wrenches, grease guns, or solvents. Not published
Not much Measure and mark stock for cuts. Not published
AI + software Select saw blades, types or grades of stock, or cutting procedures to be used, according to work orders or supervisors' instructions. Not published
Not much Trim lumber to straighten rough edges or remove defects, using circular saws. Not published
Not much Adjust bolts, clamps, stops, guides, or table angles or heights, using hand tools. Not published
Not much Examine logs or lumber to plan the best cuts. Not published
Not much Dispose of waste material after completing work assignments. Not published
Not much Operate panelboards of saw or conveyor systems to move stock through processes or to cut stock to specified dimensions. Not published
Not much Examine blueprints, drawings, work orders, or patterns to determine equipment set-up or selection details, procedures to be used, or dimensions of final products. Not published
Not much Position and clamp stock on tables, conveyors, or carriages, using hoists, guides, stops, dogs, wedges, or wrenches. Not published
Not much Cut grooves, bevels, or miters, saw curved or irregular designs, and sever or shape metals, according to specifications or work orders. Not published
Not much Unclamp and remove finished workpieces from tables. Not published

Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 0 of the 22 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.

Where people already use AI

The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 22 tasks fall under 19 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.

Tasks AI could speed up1 of 22 tasksEloundou et al. ratings (2023)
Its activities among the 50 people ask AI for help with most2 of 19 activities
  • #8 Read documents or materials to inform work processes
  • #38 Select materials or equipment for operations or projects
Microsoft Copilot (2024), ranked among all 332 activities. The cut-off of 50 is ours.
Work activity This occupation's tasks under it People asked AI for help
in 10,000 conversations		 AI did it for them
in 10,000 conversations
Maintain tools or equipment 4.47#136 1.04#167
Position workpieces or materials on equipment 0.61#264 0.17#249
Adjust equipment to ensure adequate performance 20#57 4.31#101
Inspect characteristics or conditions of materials or products 6.84#109 1.28#150
Measure physical characteristics of materials, products, or equipment 6.04#113 1.15#158
Cut materials 2.75#173 0.50#207
Operate cutting or grinding equipment 0.54#267 0.01#321
Read documents or materials to inform work processes 197#8 47#28
Show all 19 activities
Select materials or equipment for operations or projects 45#38 19#49
Set up equipment 20#58 4.69#95
Sort materials or products 3.97#147 1.71#135
Inspect completed work or finished products 3.91#150 1.95#130
Clean tools, equipment, facilities, or work areas 3.36#158 1.16#157
Dispose of waste or debris 3.05#166 0.57#192
Shape materials to create products 3.04#167 0.26#235
Repair tools or equipment 1.87#202 0.18#246
Monitor equipment operation 1.87#203 0.26#236
Load products, materials, or equipment for transportation or further processing 0.15#308 0.01#322
Remove workpieces from production equipment 0.06#323 0.05#284
Task: AI alone Task: AI + software Task: not much #: rank among all 332 activities Microsoft measured (#1 = most common; activities that never came up share last place, shown as “tied”)
How to read this

Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.

The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.

More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude

High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs

BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.

AI exposure and projected job growth, 831 occupationsLow exposure: 134 of 213 occupations projected to grow. Moderate exposure: 151 of 206 occupations projected to grow. High exposure: 165 of 206 occupations projected to grow. Very high exposure: 141 of 206 occupations projected to grow.-20%-15%-10%-5%0%+5%+10%+15%+20%+25%Low134 of 213 growingModerate151 of 206 growingHigh165 of 206 growingVery high141 of 206 growing11 occupations outside −20% to +25% are drawn at the edge. Click a dot to see that occupation.Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood: -1.0%Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, WoodAI exposure and projected job growth, 831 occupationsLow exposure: 134 of 213 occupations projected to grow. Moderate exposure: 151 of 206 occupations projected to grow. High exposure: 165 of 206 occupations projected to grow. Very high exposure: 141 of 206 occupations projected to grow.-20%-15%-10%-5%0%+5%+10%+15%+20%+25%Low134 of 213Moderate151 of 206High165 of 206Very high141 of 20611 occupations outside −20% to +25% are drawn at the edge. Tap a dot.Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood: -1.0%Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood

Career moves into and out of this occupation

From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.

Where people moved next

of 1,784 moves out

  1. 1 Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians Moderate +3.7% 12%
  2. 2 Registered Nurses High +5.6% 10%
  3. 3 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 6%
  4. 4 Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers Very high +6.1% 4%
  5. 5 Lodging Managers High +3.8% 4%

Where people moved in from

of 1,535 moves in

  1. 1 Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians Moderate +3.7% 12%
  2. 2 Registered Nurses High +5.6% 7%
  3. 3 Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians 4%
  4. 4 Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers Very high +6.1% 4%
  5. 5 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 3%

Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).

Education and training for the occupation

Education people in it hold

O*NET survey of workers in this occupation

  • 22% less than high school
  • 59% high school
  • 10% postsecondary certificate
  • 10% some college

O*NET 31.0 survey of workers in this occupation · 18 people answered.

Census survey (American Community Survey)

  • 31% less than high school
  • 43% high school
  • 16% some college
  • 3% associate's
  • 6% bachelor's
  • 1% master's

Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation · 274 people surveyed.

Why the two can differ

O*NET asks about 20 people in each occupation, which makes its shares uncertain, but it reports the exact occupation and counts certificates. The Census survey reaches thousands, but it groups some occupations together and counts degrees only. More in the Guide

Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation

Programs that prepare people for it (NCES)
1 program: Cabinetmaking and Millwork.

Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023

<0.5% this occupation

45.3% all occupations

By kindThis occupationAll occupations
a license<0.5%19.1%
a certification<0.5%5.8%
an educational certificate<0.5%2.8%

Share of jobs whose employer requires it. BLS doesn't say which credential. How to read this

Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor

  • Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
  • Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
  • License Finder ↗ licenses by state
  • Apprenticeship Finder ↗ DOL lists 2 registered apprenticeships in this occupation (HEAD SAWYER; PONY EDGER (Sawmill)). Apprenticeship.gov can't be linked to one occupation, so search for “Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood” there.

These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide

See where your own career could go Start by uploading your resume Browse careers

BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS

See it online, and explore any career: https://www.pathmosaic.com/card/51-7041.00

How useful is this page?

1 Not useful5 Very useful

Anonymous. Please don't include your name or contact details.