Occupations/51-7042.00
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
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.
Usually a high school diploma, plus some experience or short training.
AI automation risk
73%
Higher automation risk
Human characteristics
24%
Fewer uniquely human demands
Task orientation
75%
Higher automation risk
A day in this job
- Mostly routine
Monitor operation of machines and make adjustments to correct problems and ensure conformance to specifications.
- Mostly routine
Set up, program, operate, or tend computerized or manual woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, or wood-nailing machines.
- Mostly routine
Start machines, adjust controls, and make trial cuts to ensure that machinery is operating properly.
The tasks we can read here lean routine. That sits next to the AI risk rank — it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Set up, program, operate, or tend computerized or manual woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, or wood-nailing machines.
- 02Examine 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.
- 03Start machines, adjust controls, and make trial cuts to ensure that machinery is operating properly.
- 04Monitor operation of machines and make adjustments to correct problems and ensure conformance to specifications.
- 05Examine raw woodstock for defects and to ensure conformity to size and other specification standards.
- 06Adjust machine tables or cutting devices and set controls on machines to produce specified cuts or operations.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks3.68
- Degree of automation2.13
- Time sitting1.39
- Originality (ability)2.00
- Conflict situations2.58
- Hands-on objects/tools4.81
- Outdoors / weather1.70
- Disease exposure1.03
- Decision freedom3.75
Top abilities
- Reaction Time3.62
- Near Vision3.62
- Manual Dexterity3.50
- Control Precision3.50
- Oral Comprehension3.38
- Trunk Strength3.25
- Static Strength3.25
- Problem Sensitivity3.25
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension2.75
- Active Listening2.88
- Writing1.88
- Speaking3.00
- Mathematics2.38
- Science1.50
- Critical Thinking3.00
- Active Learning2.50
- Learning Strategies2.25
- Monitoring3.12
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
4 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis, MN · Public | Woodworking, General 48.0701 | $5,900 | 100% | 28% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 48.07 |
Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park, MN · Public | Woodworking, General 48.0701 | $6,200 | 100% | 38% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Anoka Technical College Anoka, MN · Public | Woodworking, General 48.0701 | $6,300 | 100% | 48% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Macomb Community College Warren, MI · Public | Woodworking, General 48.0701 | $4,200 | 100% | 22% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |