Virginia Career VIEW

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.

Tasks Include:

  • Start machines, adjust controls, and make trial cuts to ensure that machinery is operating properly.
  • Determine product specifications and materials, work methods, and machine setup requirements, according to blueprints, oral or written instructions, drawings, or work orders.
  • Feed stock through feed mechanisms or conveyors into planing, shaping, boring, mortising, or sanding machines to produce desired components.
  • Adjust machine tables or cutting devices and set controls on machines to produce specified cuts or operations.
  • Monitor operation of machines, and make adjustments to correct problems and ensure conformance to specifications.
  • Set up, program, operate, or tend computerized or manual woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, and wood-nailing machines.
  • Select knives, saws, blades, cutter heads, cams, bits, or belts, according to workpiece, machine functions, and product specifications.

    • more »


The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 14.0; US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection.

Projections Quick View:
Virginia: + 4.6%

National: + 7.0%

 

Education

High School Diploma

Job Zone:

Two: Some Preparation Needed

Income Range:

Moderately Low ($17,000 - $27,999)

Average Earnings:

 

National

$26,630.00

State

$25,809.03

Regional


 


 

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Description


Career Cluster: Manufacturing

Set up, operate, or tend woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, and wood nailing machines.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 14.0.
 

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Education


Required Level of Education
Related Work Experience
On-Site or In-Plant Training
On-the-Job Training

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 14.0.
 

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Tasks

Core Tasks Include:

Supplemental Tasks Include:

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 14.0.
 

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Tools and Technology

Tools Include:

Technologies Include:

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 14.0.
 

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Special Requirements

 Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Education and Training. Employers seek applicants with a high school diploma or the equivalent due to the growing sophistication of machinery and the constant need for retraining. People seeking woodworking jobs can enhance their employment and advancement prospects by completing high school and receiving training in mathematics, science, and computer applications.

Woodworkers increasingly acquire skills through higher education. For many workers, this means earning a degree from a vocational or trade school. Others may attend colleges or universities that offer training in wood technology, furniture manufacturing, wood engineering, and production management. These programs prepare students for positions in production, supervision, engineering, and management and are increasingly important as woodworking technology advances.

Most woodworkers are trained on the job, however, picking up skills informally from experienced workers. They can learn basic machine operations and job tasks in a few months, but becoming a skilled woodworker often requires 2 or more years.

Beginners usually observe and help experienced machine operators. They may supply material to, or remove fabricated products from, machines. Trainees also do simple machine operating jobs while closely supervised by experienced workers. As beginners gain experience, they perform more complex jobs with less supervision. Some may learn to read blueprints, set up machines, and plan the sequence of the work.

Other qualifications. In addition to training, woodworkers need mechanical ability, manual dexterity, and the ability to pay attention to detail and safety. As the industry becomes more sophisticated, skill with computers and computer-controlled machinery is becoming more important.

 



The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research.
 
 
 

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Knowledge
% Subject Description
71.00 Production and Processing Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
67.25 Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
49.75 Mechanical Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.


The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 14.0.
 

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Skills
% Subject Description
65.50 Operation Monitoring Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
59.50 Monitoring Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
59.50 Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
59.50 Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.
59.50 Operation and Control Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
56.25 Quality Control Analysis Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
53.00 Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
50.00 Troubleshooting Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
50.00 Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.


The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 14.0.
 

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Abilities
% Subject Description
68.75 Reaction Time The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
65.75 Control Precision The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
65.75 Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
62.50 Manual Dexterity The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
62.50 Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
59.50 Problem Sensitivity The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
59.50 Rate Control The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
59.50 Arm-Hand Steadiness The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
59.50 Auditory Attention The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
59.50 Trunk Strength The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
56.25 Far Vision The ability to see details at a distance.
56.25 Visualization The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
56.25 Selective Attention The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
56.25 Response Orientation The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.
56.25 Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
56.25 Perceptual Speed The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes compa
56.25 Flexibility of Closure The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
56.25 Speech Clarity The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
56.25 Static Strength The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
56.25 Multilimb Coordination The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
53.25 Extent Flexibility The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
53.25 Information Ordering The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
53.25 Finger Dexterity The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
53.25 Speech Recognition The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
50.00 Depth Perception The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
50.00 Visual Color Discrimination The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
50.00 Inductive Reasoning The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
50.00 Deductive Reasoning The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
50.00 Written Comprehension The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.


The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 14.0.
 

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Work Activities
% Subject Description
81.50 Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
75.75 Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
70.75 Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
65.50 Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
64.75 Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
64.50 Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
63.75 Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
61.75 Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
56.25 Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
52.50 Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.


The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 14.0.
 

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Work Styles
% Subject Description
82.50 Attention to Detail Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
81.00 Dependability Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
71.75 Self Control Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
71.50 Integrity Job requires being honest and ethical.
70.00 Independence Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
65.50 Persistence Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
65.50 Cooperation Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
65.25 Concern for Others Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
64.25 Achievement/Effort Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
63.25 Initiative Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
60.75 Adaptability/Flexibility Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
60.50 Leadership Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
60.00 Innovation Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
56.75 Stress Tolerance Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
56.25 Analytical Thinking Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
54.00 Social Orientation Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.


The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 14.0.
 

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Work Values
% Subject Description
77.83 Support Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.


The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 14.0.
 

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Work Context
% Subject Description
99.00 Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
96.40 Spend Time Standing How much does this job require standing?
94.00 Exposed to Contaminants How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
91.80 Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
91.40 Exposed to Hazardous Equipment How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
87.00 Importance of Being Exact or Accurate How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
86.60 Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
85.60 Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
85.40 Face-to-Face Discussions How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
83.60 Freedom to Make Decisions How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
82.80 Structured versus Unstructured Work To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
82.60 Time Pressure How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
78.00 Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
76.80 Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
76.20 Frequency of Decision Making How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
73.60 Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)?
73.20 Contact With Others How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
71.40 Work With Work Group or Team How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
67.20 Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results How do the decisions an employee makes impact the results of co-workers, clients or the company?
66.80 Importance of Repeating Same Tasks How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?
65.20 Responsible for Others' Health and Safety How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
64.40 Responsibility for Outcomes and Results How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
63.40 Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
61.60 Coordinate or Lead Others How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
59.20 Physical Proximity To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?
57.20 Level of Competition To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
57.00 Spend Time Walking and Running How much does this job require walking and running?
56.20 Consequence of Error How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable?
54.40 Degree of Automation How automated is the job?
54.20 Very Hot or Cold Temperatures How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?


The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 14.0.
 

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 14.0.
 

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Earnings Benefits
Region Entry Level Average Experienced
United States No Data $26,630.00 $37,820.00
Virginia $19,451.22 $25,809.03 $28,988.95
 
Region Entry Level Average Experienced
Bay Consortium $21,768.48 $24,954.46 $26,547.44
Capital Region Workforce Partnership $17,132.95 $24,138.26 $27,641.42
Central VA/Region2000 $17,824.90 $22,268.50 $24,490.80
Crater Area No Data No Data No Data
Greater Peninsula No Data No Data No Data
Hampton Roads $18,352.19 $24,616.06 $27,747.49
New River/Mt. Rogers $18,903.73 $25,015.06 $28,070.73
Northern Virginia and Alexandria/Arlington $19,167.37 $25,152.44 $28,144.47
Piedmont/Workforce $19,946.19 $24,791.82 $27,215.14
Shenandoah Valley $19,094.64 $26,725.23 $30,539.51
South Central $16,388.48 $24,063.51 $27,900.02
Southwestern Virginia No Data No Data No Data
West Piedmont $21,214.92 $26,351.48 $28,920.26
Western Virginia $21,567.46 $24,513.02 $25,985.81


The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection.
 

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Employment Projections
National 2008 2018 % Change
United States 85,700 91,700 + 7.0%
 
State 2008 2018 % Change
Virginia 3,473 3,632 + 4.6%
 
Region 2006 2016 % Change
Bay Consortium 126 141 + 11.9%
Capital Region Workforce Partnership 252 268 + 6.3%
Central VA/Region2000 102 110 + 7.8%
Crater Area No Data No Data No Data
Greater Peninsula No Data No Data No Data
Hampton Roads 317 364 + 14.8%
New River/Mt. Rogers 484 456 - 5.8%
Northern Virginia and Alexandria/Arlington 382 464 + 21.5%
Piedmont/Workforce 189 195 + 3.2%
Shenandoah Valley 512 551 + 7.6%
South Central 326 329 + 0.9%
Southwestern Virginia 162 182 + 12.3%
West Piedmont 695 690 - 0.7%
Western Virginia 216 207 - 4.2%


The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Workforce Connection.
 

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Related Occupations
Related Occupations

 

Careers in Production Pathway:

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 14.0.
 

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

View Videos

The following videos are available for this occupation:

The data sources for the information displayed here include: New York State Department of Labor; New Jersey Department of Labor; California Occupational Information Coordinating Committee.
 
 

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Proficiency Ratings
These proficiencies are scored on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being not
important to the job and 5 being extremely important to the job.
Proficiency Rating
Controlling Machines and Processes 4.5
Handling and Moving Objects 4.0
Getting Information 4.0
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material 3.5
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings 3.5
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates 3.5
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events 3.5
Performing General Physical Activities 3.5
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People 3.5
Making Decisions and Solving Problems 3.0
Processing Information 3.0
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment 3.0
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information 3.0
Training and Teaching Others 2.5
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships 2.5
Analyzing Data or Information 2.5
Thinking Creatively 2.5
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards 2.5
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others 2.5
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment 2.5
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others 2.5
Assisting and Caring for Others 2.5
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge 2.5
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work 2.5
Developing and Building Teams 2.5
Coaching and Developing Others 2.5
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others 2.0
Documenting/Recording Information 2.0
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment 2.0
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates 2.0
Monitoring and Controlling Resources 2.0
Developing Objectives and Strategies 2.0
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others 2.0
Interacting With Computers 1.5
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment 1.5
Scheduling Work and Activities 1.5
Performing Administrative Activities 1.5
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public 1.5
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization 1.5
Selling or Influencing Others 1.5
Staffing Organizational Units 1.0


The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 14.0.
 

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Titles

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 14.0.
 
 

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

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