Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood
Set up, operate, or tend wood sawing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment. Includes lead sawyers.
Also called: Bandmill Operator · Cut Off Saw Operator · Edgerman · Knot Saw Operator · Panel Saw Operator · Planer
Median pay (national)
$39,950
$29,670–$56,560 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
43,140
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-0.6%
~4,800 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $56,560 versus $29,670 at the bottom 10% — 1.9x. The median of $39,950 leaves roughly 42% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -0.6% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 4,800 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 45 states with released data, Oregon pays the most for this role (median $49,660, +24% vs the national median), while West Virginia sits lowest at $28,660 — a 73% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Mathematics
- Learning Strategies
- Writing
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Inspect and measure workpieces to mark for cuts and to verify the accuracy of cuts, using rulers, squares, or caliper rules.
- Adjust saw blades, using wrenches and rulers, or by turning handwheels or pressing pedals, levers, or panel buttons.
- Mount and bolt sawing blades or attachments to machine shafts.
- Monitor sawing machines, adjusting speed and tension and clearing jams to ensure proper operation.
- Sharpen blades, or replace defective or worn blades or bands, using hand tools.
- Clear machine jams, using hand tools.
- Lubricate or clean machines, using wrenches, grease guns, or solvents.
- 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.
- Guide workpieces against saws, saw over workpieces by hand, or operate automatic feeding devices to guide cuts.
- Inspect stock for imperfections or to estimate grades or qualities of stock or workpieces.
Tools & technology
- Automated inventory software
- Computerized numerical control CNC software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- Mathematics
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Design
- Engineering and Technology