Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders 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.
Table of contents
What they do
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders 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.
- Set up, program, operate or tend computerized or manual woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, or wood-nailing machines.
- 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.
- Start machines, adjust controls and make trial cuts to ensure that machinery is operating properly.
- Monitor operation of machines and make adjustments to correct problems and ensure conformance to specifications.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Woodworking Machine Operators clean or maintain products, machines, or work areas. They feedstock through feed mechanisms or conveyors into planing, shaping, boring, mortising, or sanding machines to produce desired components.
A typical day for a Woodworking Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender will also include:
- Inspect pulleys, drive belts, guards, or fences on machines to ensure that machines will operate safely.
- Operate gluing machines to glue pieces of wood together, or to press and affix wood veneer to wood surfaces.
- Examine raw Woodstock for defects and ensure conformity to size and other specification standards.
- Attach and adjust guides, stops, clamps, chucks, or feed mechanisms, using hand tools.
- Inspect and mark completed workpieces and stack them on pallets, in boxes, or on conveyors so that they can be moved to the next workstation.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Woodworking Machine Operators also grease or oil woodworking machines. They may also sharpen knives, bits, or other cutting or shaping tools.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Woodworking Machine Operators remove and replace worn parts, bits, belts, sandpaper, or shaping tools. They might also control hoists to remove parts or products from workstations.
In addition, they install and adjust blades, cutter heads, boring-bits, or sanding-belts, using hand tools and rules.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them change alignment and adjustment of sanding, cutting, or boring machine guides to prevent defects in finished products, using hand tools.
To some Woodworking Machine Operators, it is also their responsibility to clean or maintain products, machines, or work areas.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
61% said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they found their job meaningful.
My Typical Day
I normally arrive at the workshop at 7.45 am to unlock the building ready for everyone else to arrive. As we manufacture timber for bespoke buildings, there are a lot of machines in the workshop – I make sure they are all turned on ready for when everyone else in the team arrives.
I will then report to the Production Manager to get my duties for the day. We craft buildings for all kinds of purposes, from horse stables, mobile field shelters and barns to garages, garden offices, summer houses and even timber framed houses. Because we work across a wide range of buildings, it means I can be working on a range of different tasks and projects throughout the day, such as completing cutting lists, making doors, wall panels, and Apex panels.
We have our all-important tea breaks at 10am and 3pm with a lunch break in the middle. We finish for the day at 5pm.
There are eight of us on the workshop team, so it’s quite a small team which I like. We all know each other well and work closely together so the environment is quite relaxed. We are on our feet for most of the day, either operating machinery or crafting with hand tools.
Pros
If you enjoy being creative and practical then this would be a good fit for you. Plus, you do not need a degree or other qualifications to apply for this role. My company’s only requirement for my particular job is a full driving licence, a willingness to learn, a can-do attitude, and a good work ethic. Other than that, full training is provided by the company. I like the fact that once I have been given my task list each morning, I am left to get on with the work throughout the day. I prefer managing my own time and tasks so as long as I know what my deadline is, I can work my day accordingly.
Although I work on individual tasks, collectively the work our team does creates a building that can really change the life of the person that requires it, whether it be a horse owner needing a stable for their first horse, a stable needing a large-scale shelter, or a homeowner looking for a home office to obtain a better work-life balance.
From a sustainability point of view, I’m also proud to work with a natural product such as wood. I’ve learned so much on the job so far over the 8 years I’ve been with the company.
Cons
I think the only cons of my job are that I’m on my feet for the most part of the day and operate machinery a lot which can be noisy at times and demands a lot of focus and precision. We make all our products bespoke, so the attention really is in the detail. I quite like the accuracy and physicality of the work, but I can appreciate it might not appeal to everyone.
Advice to students interested in this career path
For my role at my current company, I didn’t need any qualifications as all training was provided when I joined. However, I would recommend anyone just starting out in timber manufacturing should think about getting an NVQ in Carpentry and Joinery. It would be suitable for anyone who works or wants to work in the construction industry and specialize in working with wood. It should cover the four trade areas available: site carpentry, bench joinery, shopfitting joinery, and wood machining. Having an official qualification under your belt will provide you with options further down your career path if you want them. You may wish to progress onto becoming skilled in a different trade, and it is good to have some options open to you, in case you need them at a later date.
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who want to work in a supportive work environment.
It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required to get started.
Demand for this career is growing fast.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
One of the lowest paying jobs.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $22,490 to $26,840 per year or $11 to $13 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $47,780 | $23 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $39,130 | $19 |
| Median | $32,160 | $15 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $26,840 | $13 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $22,490 | $11 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | $46430 | $22.32 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | $42680 | $20.52 |
| Nonresidential Building Construction | $40760 | $19.60 |
| Building Finishing Contractors | $36640 | $17.61 |
| Converted Paper Product Manufacturing | $36390 | $17.50 |
| Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance | $36130 | $17.37 |
| Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | $35230 | $16.94 |
| Ship and Boat Building | $34560 | $16.62 |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | $34310 | $16.50 |
| Sawmills and Wood Preservation | $34200 | $16.44 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other Wood Product Manufacturing | 34830 | $32720 | $15.73 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | 15820 | $34100 | $16.40 |
| Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | 9970 | $35230 | $16.94 |
| Sawmills and Wood Preservation | 5910 | $34200 | $16.44 |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 1790 | $34310 | $16.50 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | 1300 | $33340 | $16.03 |
| Employment Services | 860 | $31280 | $15.04 |
| Building Material and Supplies Dealers | 610 | $33910 | $16.30 |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing | 350 | $31140 | $14.97 |
| Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | 190 | $46430 | $22.32 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
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Telephone
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Group discussions
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Public speaking
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Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Woodworking
Cabinetmaking and Millwork
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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