Woodworking Machine Operator: Job Description, Pay & Outlook

What does a woodworking machine operator do?

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. The median pay is $43,380 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow -2.5% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$43,380
$20.86/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-2.5%
2025–35, a projected decline
Openings per year
5,300
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
A few months on the job
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
60,900
Employment, 2025

What woodworking machine operators do

Woodworking machine operators make wood products. They set up CNC routers, moulders, edgebanders, sanders and planers, run production, check parts for size and finish, and maintain machines in furniture, cabinet and millwork plants.

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects slight decline.

Typical duties

Set up machines
Run CNC routers
Run moulders and planers
Sand parts
Check dimensions
Change tooling
Maintain machines

Work environment and schedule

Operators work in furniture, cabinet and millwork plants.

Schedule: Full time, often shifts.

A day in the life

6:00 AMReview cut lists.
6:30 AMLoad the CNC router.
8:00 AMRun cabinet parts.
10:00 AMRun the edgebander.

See a full day in the life of a woodworking machine operator →

Woodworking Machine Operator salary

Half of woodworking machine operators earned more than $43,380 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $32,110 for the lowest 10% to $56,830 for the top 10%.

$32,11010th$43,380Median$56,83090th

Full woodworking machine operator pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a woodworking machine operator

Finish high school
Take woodworking classes
Get hired
Learn CNC
Advance

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a woodworking machine operator →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

CNC router operation
Machine setup
Tooling changes
Measurement
Wood properties

People skills

Attention to detail
Safety focus
Reliability
Problem-solving

All woodworking machine operator skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Make real products
CNC skills
No degree needed
Steady demand

Cons

Dust and noise
Blade hazards
Repetitive
Slight decline

Certifications and licenses

WCA credentials: Woodwork Career Alliance.
CNC router training: Manufacturer.
OSHA 10: Safety.
Forklift certification: Helpful.

Career path

Operator: Entry.
Setup Tech: Setups.
CNC Programmer: Program.
Supervisor: Lead.

Learn the job before day one

Our Woodworking Machine Operator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as run a nested CNC router job and prevent tearout on wood parts, safety and how to land your first job.

View Woodworking Machine Operator training Is this career right for me?

Cabinetmaker

Build cabinets, furniture and custom woodwork.

$46,680
Months to years of training

Sawmill Operator

Run saws that turn logs into lumber.

$42,770
A few months on the job

Carpenter

Build and repair frameworks, structures and finish work from wood and other materials.

$60,580
3–4 years (apprenticeship)

CNC Operator

Run computer-controlled machines that cut precise metal and plastic parts.

$50,690
A few months on the job

Compare: Woodworking Machine Operator vs. Cabinetmaker · Woodworking Machine Operator vs. Sawmill Operator · Woodworking Machine Operator vs. Carpenter · Woodworking Machine Operator vs. CNC Operator

Woodworking Machine Operator FAQ

Do I need a degree?

No.

Is the job declining?

BLS projects slight decline.

Is CNC important?

Yes, many plants use CNC routers.

How much does a woodworking machine operator make?

The median annual wage for woodworking machine operators was $43,380 ($20.86 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $32,110 and the highest 10% earned more than $56,830.

How long does it take to become a woodworking machine operator?

Most people need about A few months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.

Do you need a degree to be a woodworking machine operator?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

More woodworking machine operator questions →

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-7042 (Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Woodworking Machine Operator