SOC 517042

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. Workers who primarily program or operate CNC equipment are classified in "Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators and Programmers" (51-9160).

National Median

$40,440

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$40,440

Entry Level (10th pct)

$30,920

Experienced (90th pct)

$54,340

Total Employed

63,350

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$30,920 - $36,260
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$36,260 - $47,650
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$47,650 - $54,340

Highest Paying Locations for Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Longview-Kelso, WA

$57,770

+42.9% vs national

Savannah, GA

$53,080

+31.3% vs national

Eastern Oregon nonmetropolitan area

$52,700

+30.3% vs national

Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA

$52,540

+29.9% vs national

Western Washington nonmetropolitan area

$52,290

+29.3% vs national

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Longview-Kelso, WA	$57,770	80
Savannah, GA	$53,080	70
Eastern Oregon nonmetropolitan area	$52,700	90
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA	$52,540	40
Western Washington nonmetropolitan area	$52,290	350
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$51,740	350
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	$51,490	90
Bellingham, WA	$51,270	200
Manchester-Nashua, NH	$51,190	50
Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area	$50,990	330
Medford, OR	$50,780	160
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$50,740	190
Bend, OR	$50,610	350
Washington	$50,170	1,430
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	$50,110	140
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$49,580	80
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$49,440	450
Oregon	$49,430	2,030
Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan area	$49,150	270
Albany, OR	$48,950	130
Northeastern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area	$48,930	170
Minnesota	$48,920	720
North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous)	$48,810	970
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$48,380	70
Boulder, CO	$48,290	50
Fort Collins-Loveland, CO	$48,250	40
West Montana nonmetropolitan area	$48,240	210
Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area	$48,210	60
North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$48,170	80
Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area	$48,030	650
Vallejo, CA	$47,980	30
Missoula, MT	$47,940	40
Montana	$47,940	350
Iowa	$47,890	1,570
Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area	$47,890	190
Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area	$47,850	160
Nebraska	$47,590	410
Rhode Island	$47,570	80
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI	$47,540	2,830
Cleveland, OH	$47,400	510
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$47,270	420
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$47,210	190
Eau Claire, WI	$47,180	110
Central Oregon nonmetropolitan area	$47,120	80
Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area	$47,080	60
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$46,960	570
Eugene-Springfield, OR	$46,700	260
Reno, NV	$46,700	140
Central New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area	$46,640	50
Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area	$46,480	120

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing?

The national median annual salary for Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing is $40,440, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawings earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawings is Longview-Kelso, WA, with a median salary of $57,770.

How much can an experienced Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing make?

Top-earning Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawings (90th percentile) make $54,340 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.