Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, & Tenders
Also called: Cabinet Maker, Machine Operator, Sander Operator,
What they do:
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.On the job, you would:
- 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.
Engineering and Technology
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
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Basic Skills
Problem Solving
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Hand and Finger Use
Controlled Movement
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People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
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You might use software like this on the job: Computer aided design CAD software
Video creation and editing software
Operating system software
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![]() New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
![]() $30,990
![]() $21,430
$45,880
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What they do:
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.On the job, you would:
- 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.
KNOWLEDGE
Engineering and Technology
- mechanical
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
- manufacture and distribution of products
SKILLS
Basic Skills
- keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
- talking to others
Problem Solving
- noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
ABILITIES
Hand and Finger Use
- hold or move items with your hands
- keep your arm or hand steady
Controlled Movement
- quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
- use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down
PERSONALITY
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Adaptability/Flexibility
- Independence
- Integrity
- Cooperation
TECHNOLOGY
You might use software like this on the job:
Computer aided design CAD software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
Video creation and editing software
- YouTube
Operating system software
- Apple macOS
- Microsoft Windows
EDUCATION

- high school diploma/GED
- no high school diploma/GED
JOB OUTLOOK

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

$30,990

$21,430
$45,880