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Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Also called: Cabinet Maker, Machine Operator, Sander, Sander Operator

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.

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Median pay BLS, 2025$43,380
Openings a year BLS, 2025–355,300
Typical education to start BLSHigh school diploma or equivalent
AI exposure BLS, Aug 2026 Low
Projected job growth BLS, 2025–35 -2.5%

What the data says: AI could halve the time on 2 of its 25 tasks, and jobs are projected to shrink 2.5% 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, 6.9% 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 90% 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 17% of 825 occupations
lowest-paidhighest-paid

Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates

$34k$53knot published

Median pay in every state
StateMedianMiddle half earnJobs
Alabama$36,750$31,800 to $45,3902,580
Arizona$39,440$37,480 to $46,5101,430
Arkansas$36,850$28,540 to $48,480760
California$46,370$39,540 to $49,6703,530
Colorado$46,500$36,590 to $55,430440
Connecticut$47,140$39,450 to $50,630150
Florida$38,740$36,910 to $47,5401,840
Georgia$37,380$33,280 to $45,2502,280
Idaho$45,730$39,090 to $48,870830
Illinois$41,360$38,290 to $46,2201,820
Indiana$41,600$37,170 to $47,6103,570
Iowa$51,200$49,460 to $57,4701,100
Kansas$43,580$35,260 to $48,580470
Kentucky$38,080$37,110 to $43,4401,320
Louisiana$47,170$43,010 to $52,920400
Maine$44,370$38,280 to $48,410440
Maryland$46,470$39,020 to $52,000420
Massachusetts$46,430$39,130 to $49,730890
Michigan$47,680$43,320 to $49,0405,250
Minnesota$51,540$48,720 to $57,980710
Mississippi$42,090$33,280 to $47,150860
Missouri$38,640$36,370 to $45,740940
Montana$45,610$36,120 to $49,770360
Nebraska$49,190$44,640 to $49,190490
Nevada$41,090$35,110 to $48,210310
New Hampshire$46,450$40,970 to $49,740440
New Jersey$49,680$38,020 to $68,100410
New Mexico$38,650$36,360 to $45,910150
New York$43,720$38,740 to $54,6501,250
North Carolina$37,550$32,210 to $44,8704,090
North Dakota$45,820$40,850 to $46,630280
Ohio$43,930$36,720 to $50,3902,710
Oklahoma$35,990$33,640 to $38,840260
Oregon$49,480$47,270 to $56,6802,120
Pennsylvania$44,980$38,270 to $49,7703,310
Puerto Rico$21,840$21,840 to $21,840not published
Rhode Island$45,880$37,210 to $48,560100
South Carolina$41,990$37,270 to $48,3901,660
South Dakota$41,740$36,510 to $47,210490
Tennessee$35,290$31,500 to $40,3101,840
Texas$33,840$28,790 to $39,5702,130
Utah$39,260$37,000 to $46,0001,050
Vermont$46,480$42,900 to $49,050200
Virginia$39,370$36,720 to $45,1601,520
Washington$52,980$47,610 to $58,9801,250
West Virginia$40,020$30,730 to $47,620280
Wisconsin$44,450$37,570 to $47,6802,610
Wyoming$39,930$36,400 to $45,00040

Nationally: $43,380. 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 2 of its 25 tasks

0 · AI alone could halve the time 2 · AI + software built on it could 23 · Not much
AI ratingIts main tasks Share of Claude conversations
May 2026
Not much 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. Not published
Not much Start machines, adjust controls, and make trial cuts to ensure that machinery is operating properly. Not published
Not much Monitor operation of machines and make adjustments to correct problems and ensure conformance to specifications. Not published
Not much Clean or maintain products, machines, or work areas. Not published
Not much Set up, program, operate, or tend computerized or manual woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, or wood-nailing machines. Not published
Not much Examine raw woodstock for defects and to ensure conformity to size and other specification standards. Not published
See all 25 tasks
Not much Install and adjust blades, cutterheads, boring-bits, or sanding-belts, using hand tools and rules. Not published
AI + software Determine product specifications and materials, work methods, and machine setup requirements, according to blueprints, oral or written instructions, drawings, or work orders. Not published
Not much Change alignment and adjustment of sanding, cutting, or boring machine guides to prevent defects in finished products, using hand tools. Not published
Not much Remove and replace worn parts, bits, belts, sandpaper, or shaping tools. Not published
Not much Adjust machine tables or cutting devices and set controls on machines to produce specified cuts or operations. Not published
Not much Inspect and mark completed workpieces and stack them on pallets, in boxes, or on conveyors so that they can be moved to the next workstation. Not published
Not much Select knives, saws, blades, cutter heads, cams, bits, or belts, according to workpiece, machine functions, or product specifications. Not published
Not much Attach and adjust guides, stops, clamps, chucks, or feed mechanisms, using hand tools. Not published
Not much Inspect pulleys, drive belts, guards, or fences on machines to ensure that machines will operate safely. Not published
Not much Secure woodstock against a guide or in a holding device, place woodstock on a conveyor, or dump woodstock in a hopper to feed woodstock into machines. Not published
Not much Trim wood parts according to specifications, using planes, chisels, or wood files or sanders. Not published
Not much Feed stock through feed mechanisms or conveyors into planing, shaping, boring, mortising, or sanding machines to produce desired components. Not published
Not much Push or hold workpieces against, under, or through cutting, boring, or shaping mechanisms. Not published
Not much Unclamp workpieces and remove them from machines. Not published
Not much Grease or oil woodworking machines. Not published
Not much Operate gluing machines to glue pieces of wood together, or to press and affix wood veneer to wood surfaces. Not published
AI + software Set up, program, or control computer-aided design (CAD) or computer numerical control (CNC) machines. Not published
Not much Start machines and move levers to engage hydraulic lifts that press woodstocks into desired forms and disengage lifts after appropriate drying times. Not published
Not much Control hoists to remove parts or products from work stations. 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 25 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 25 tasks fall under 21 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 up2 of 25 tasksEloundou et al. ratings (2023)
Its activities among the 50 people ask AI for help with most3 of 21 activities
  • #31 Program computer systems or production equipment
  • #37 Determine operational methods or procedures
  • #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
Position workpieces or materials on equipment 0.61#264 0.17#249
Operate cutting or grinding equipment 0.54#267 0.01#321
Adjust equipment to ensure adequate performance 20#57 4.31#101
Select materials or equipment for operations or projects 45#38 19#49
Maintain tools or equipment 4.47#136 1.04#167
Load products, materials, or equipment for transportation or further processing 0.15#308 0.01#322
Program computer systems or production equipment 58#31 12#63
Determine operational methods or procedures 45#37 22#46
Show all 21 activities
Set up equipment 20#58 4.69#95
Test performance of equipment or systems 9.09#97 2.28#123
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
Clean tools, equipment, facilities, or work areas 3.36#158 1.16#157
Mark materials or objects for identification 3.28#160 0.80#172
Cut materials 2.75#173 0.50#207
Disassemble equipment 2.48#182 0.82#170
Repair tools or equipment 1.87#202 0.18#246
Monitor equipment operation 1.87#203 0.26#236
Inspect commercial, industrial, or production systems or equipment 0.84#245 0.32#232
Operate lifting or moving equipment 0.09#318 0.02#311
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 woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing 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.Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing: -2.5%Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except SawingAI 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.Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing: -2.5%Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

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 1,632 moves out

  1. 1 Accountants and Auditors Very high +5.0% 5%
  2. 2 Customer Service Representatives Very high -5.3% 4%
  3. 3 Production Workers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
  4. 4 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
  5. 5 Construction Managers High +9.1% 4%

Where people moved in from

of 1,531 moves in

  1. 1 Customer Service Representatives Very high -5.3% 7%
  2. 2 Production Workers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 5%
  3. 3 Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Low +1.8% 4%
  4. 4 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
  5. 5 Computer User Support Specialists Very high -3.5% 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

  • 21% less than high school
  • 73% high school
  • 5% postsecondary certificate
  • 2% bachelor's

O*NET 31.0 survey of workers in this occupation · 29 people answered.

Census survey (American Community Survey)

  • 33% less than high school
  • 45% high school
  • 11% some college
  • 9% associate's
  • 2% bachelor's

Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation · 175 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

Programs that prepare people for it (NCES)
2 programs: Woodworking, General and Cabinetmaking and Millwork.

Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023

<15% this occupation

45.3% all occupations

By kindThis occupationAll occupations
a licensenot published
a certificationnot published
an educational certificatenot published

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 3 registered apprenticeships in this occupation (MACHINE SETTER (Woodwork); Wood Turning Lathe Operator; Woodworking Manufacturing Specialist (CBOF)). Apprenticeship.gov can't be linked to one occupation, so search for “Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing” 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

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