Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing Salary
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing earn a median $43,380 a year nationally. Production Occupations
What woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing do
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. Workers who primarily program or operate CNC equipment are classified in "Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators and Programmers" (51-9160).
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -2.5% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 5,300
Employment of woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing is projected to shrink 2.5% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 5,300 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,026
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,690
- Medicare (1.45%)$629
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$37,036
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,110 | $15.44 | $27,980 |
| 25th percentile | $37,100 | $17.84 | $31,990 |
| Median (50th) | $43,380 | $20.86 | $37,036 |
| 75th percentile | $48,720 | $23.42 | $41,327 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,830 | $27.32 | $47,843 |
Best cities for woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Rapids, MI | $47,720 | $38,746 | $40,552 | 2,780 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Grand Rapids, MI — $47,720
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $52,980 | +5.6% | $44,749 | $43,990 – $61,440 | 1,250 |
| Minnesota | $51,540 | +5.4% | $41,611 | $45,780 – $60,120 | 710 |
| Iowa | $51,200 | +6.9% | $42,025 | $39,540 – $57,480 | 1,100 |
| New Jersey | $49,680 | +23.6% | $40,901 | $36,670 – $78,590 | 410 |
| Oregon | $49,480 | +0.1% | $38,437 | $39,690 – $59,440 | 2,120 |
| Nebraska | $49,190 | +3.4% | $40,346 | $39,340 – $49,190 | 490 |
| Michigan | $47,680 | +3.2% | $38,715 | $38,130 – $54,500 | 5,250 |
| Louisiana | $47,170 | +2.5% | $39,052 | $38,570 – $61,570 | 400 |
| Connecticut | $47,140 | +4.8% | $38,861 | $37,440 – $57,250 | 150 |
| Colorado | $46,500 | +4.3% | $38,205 | $34,100 – $62,620 | 440 |
| Vermont | $46,480 | +3.5% | $38,403 | $39,120 – $56,560 | 200 |
| Maryland | $46,470 | +2.1% | $37,675 | $36,820 – $63,320 | 420 |
| New Hampshire | $46,450 | +1.1% | $39,503 | $39,130 – $62,040 | 440 |
| Massachusetts | $46,430 | +5.8% | $37,385 | $37,190 – $55,910 | 890 |
| California | $46,370 | +3.0% | $37,991 | $37,700 – $57,520 | 3,530 |
| Rhode Island | $45,880 | −3.6% | $37,941 | $31,200 – $58,960 | 100 |
| North Dakota | $45,820 | +5.1% | $38,996 | $40,470 – $48,790 | 280 |
| Idaho | $45,730 | +0.0% | $37,609 | $36,980 – $57,670 | 830 |
| Montana | $45,610 | −4.9% | $37,441 | $32,020 – $58,100 | 360 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,980 | +4.6% | $36,941 | $36,060 – $60,960 | 3,310 |
| Wisconsin | $44,450 | +7.4% | $36,721 | $35,430 – $55,170 | 2,610 |
| Maine | $44,370 | +12.8% | $36,018 | $37,400 – $55,680 | 440 |
| Ohio | $43,930 | −1.3% | $37,052 | $35,010 – $53,150 | 2,710 |
| New York | $43,720 | +8.1% | $35,545 | $35,910 – $64,070 | 1,250 |
| Kansas | $43,580 | +15.8% | $35,564 | $30,560 – $57,580 | 470 |
| Mississippi | $42,090 | +13.5% | $35,048 | $29,630 – $56,150 | 860 |
| South Carolina | $41,990 | +4.5% | $34,557 | $29,720 – $57,010 | 1,660 |
| South Dakota | $41,740 | +1.6% | $35,718 | $31,070 – $51,870 | 490 |
| Indiana | $41,600 | +4.4% | $34,408 | $35,230 – $57,550 | 3,570 |
| Illinois | $41,360 | −7.3% | $33,510 | $36,970 – $53,160 | 1,820 |
| Nevada | $41,090 | −10.3% | $35,196 | $33,900 – $50,170 | 310 |
| West Virginia | $40,020 | −3.1% | $33,237 | $29,860 – $49,120 | 280 |
| Wyoming | $39,930 | +3.3% | $34,264 | $27,800 – $46,010 | 40 |
| Arizona | $39,440 | −1.1% | $33,093 | $36,790 – $49,830 | 1,430 |
| Virginia | $39,370 | +6.3% | $32,364 | $32,500 – $48,410 | 1,520 |
| Utah | $39,260 | +3.6% | $32,925 | $35,360 – $49,680 | 1,050 |
| Florida | $38,740 | +5.2% | $33,308 | $32,700 – $52,260 | 1,840 |
| New Mexico | $38,650 | +3.2% | $32,541 | $32,850 – $59,300 | 150 |
| Missouri | $38,640 | +2.0% | $32,348 | $34,600 – $49,260 | 940 |
| Kentucky | $38,080 | +2.8% | $31,562 | $32,650 – $48,290 | 1,320 |
| North Carolina | $37,550 | +0.5% | $31,362 | $30,180 – $48,120 | 4,090 |
| Georgia | $37,380 | +0.8% | $30,898 | $29,780 – $53,160 | 2,280 |
| Arkansas | $36,850 | +0.9% | $30,565 | $25,960 – $59,630 | 760 |
| Alabama | $36,750 | +0.4% | $30,136 | $29,140 – $49,390 | 2,580 |
| Oklahoma | $35,990 | −0.8% | $30,024 | $31,110 – $61,060 | 260 |
| Tennessee | $35,290 | +2.8% | $30,536 | $29,330 – $46,420 | 1,840 |
| Texas | $33,840 | −2.3% | $29,370 | $21,690 – $46,230 | 2,130 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood | $42,770 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.0% |
| Woodworkers, All Other | $44,530 | High school diploma or equivalent | -2.3% |
| Furniture Finisher | $44,540 | High school diploma or equivalent | -3.5% |
| Cabinetmaker and Bench Carpenter | $46,680 | High school diploma or equivalent | -2.9% |
| Patternmakers, Wood | $49,630 | High school diploma or equivalent | -2.0% |
| Model Makers, Wood | $56,550 | High school diploma or equivalent | -3.3% |
| Etcher and Engraver | $43,310 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.7% |
| Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders | $43,530 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.4% |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender | $43,220 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.1% |
| Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $43,960 | High school diploma or equivalent | -9.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing make?
The national median salary for woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing is $43,380 a year ($20.86 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $32,110 and the top 10% earn over $56,830. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing the most?
Washington has the highest median pay at $52,980. After taxes and local prices, Grand Rapids, MI offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing are there in the U.S.?
About 61,420 people work as woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing nationwide.