Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing
SOC Code: 51-7042
Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing carries a 29% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $40,440 and -1.8% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 63,100 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing (SOC 51-7042) carries an AI exposure score of 29%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 63,100 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -1.8% change through 2034 — a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $40,440, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Set up, program, operate, or tend computerized or manual woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, or wood-nailing machines.
- 2. 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.
- 3. Start machines, adjust controls, and make trial cuts to ensure that machinery is operating properly.
- 4. Monitor operation of machines and make adjustments to correct problems and ensure conformance to specifications.
- 5. Examine raw woodstock for defects and to ensure conformity to size and other specification standards.
- 6. Adjust machine tables or cutting devices and set controls on machines to produce specified cuts or operations.
- 7. Install and adjust blades, cutterheads, boring-bits, or sanding-belts, using hand tools and rules.
- 8. Change alignment and adjustment of sanding, cutting, or boring machine guides to prevent defects in finished products, using hand tools.
- 9. Determine product specifications and materials, work methods, and machine setup requirements, according to blueprints, oral or written instructions, drawings, or work orders.
- 10. Feed stock through feed mechanisms or conveyors into planing, shaping, boring, mortising, or sanding machines to produce desired components.
Key Skills Required
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Quality Control Analysis
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Equipment Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Active Listening
- Equipment Selection
Knowledge Areas
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
- Mathematics
- Public Safety and Security
- Building and Construction
- Education and Training
- Design
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Transportation
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing?
Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing has an AI exposure score of 29%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing is projected to decline by 1.8% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 63,100 workers.
What skills are needed for Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing?
Key skills for Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing include Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Quality Control Analysis, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing earn?
The median annual wage for Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing is $40,440, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing?
The typical entry-level education for Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing?
Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).