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

mechanical

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods

manufacture and distribution of products

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

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

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

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

high school diploma/GED
no high school diploma/GED

usually needed

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

$30,990

$21,430

$45,880