Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
SOC Code: 51-7042
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawings set up, program, operate, or tend computerized or manual woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, or wood-nailing machines. This career typically requires moderate-term on-the-job training (months to 1 year). With an AI-proof score of 81.7/100, this role has high resilience to automation. Key skills include Operations Monitoring, Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control.
AI-Proof Score: 81.7 — Very High
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Median Salary
$40,440
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Job Growth
-1.8%
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Training Time
Moderate-term on-the-job training (months to 1 year)
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Job Zone
Zone 2 / 5
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Training Cost
~$5,000
Key Skills
- •Operations Monitoring
- •Operation and Control
- •Quality Control Analysis
- •Monitoring
- •Speaking
- •Critical Thinking
- •Equipment Maintenance
- •Troubleshooting
Common Tasks
- ✓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.
- ✓Monitor operation of machines and make adjustments to correct problems and ensure conformance to specifications.
- ✓Examine raw woodstock for defects and to ensure conformity to size and other specification standards.
Training & Resources
Why AI-Proof?
- ✅Requires hands-on physical presence and dexterity
- ✅Demands human empathy, judgment, and trust
- ✅Operates in unpredictable, variable environments
- ✅Social and regulatory barriers to full automation