Occupation · SOC 51-7041
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood
Set up, operate, or tend wood sawing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment. Includes lead sawyers.
Median wage
$39,950
$29,670–$56,560
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
43,140
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
56 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlCritical ThinkingMonitoringTroubleshootingQuality Control Analysis
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingMechanical
Technology & tools
Document management softwareInventory management softwareIndustrial control softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite software
Representative tasks
Inspect and measure workpieces to mark for cuts and to verify the accuracy of cuts, using rulers, squares, or caliper rules.Adjust saw blades, using wrenches and rulers, or by turning handwheels or pressing pedals, levers, or panel buttons.Mount and bolt sawing blades or attachments to machine shafts.Set up, operate, or tend saws or machines that cut or trim wood to specified dimensions, such as circular saws, band saws, multiple-blade sawing machines, scroll saws, ripsaws, or crozer machines.Inspect stock for imperfections or to estimate grades or qualities of stock or workpieces.Monitor sawing machines, adjusting speed and tension and clearing jams to ensure proper operation.Sharpen blades, or replace defective or worn blades or bands, using hand tools.Guide workpieces against saws, saw over workpieces by hand, or operate automatic feeding devices to guide cuts.Clear machine jams, using hand tools.Lubricate or clean machines, using wrenches, grease guns, or solvents.Adjust bolts, clamps, stops, guides, or table angles or heights, using hand tools.Examine logs or lumber to plan the best cuts.Trim lumber to straighten rough edges or remove defects, using circular saws.Count, sort, or stack finished workpieces.Position and clamp stock on tables, conveyors, or carriages, using hoists, guides, stops, dogs, wedges, or wrenches.Measure and mark stock for cuts.Operate panelboards of saw or conveyor systems to move stock through processes or to cut stock to specified dimensions.Examine blueprints, drawings, work orders, or patterns to determine equipment set-up or selection details, procedures to be used, or dimensions of final products.Select saw blades, types or grades of stock, or cutting procedures to be used, according to work orders or supervisors' instructions.Cut grooves, bevels, or miters, saw curved or irregular designs, and sever or shape metals, according to specifications or work orders.Unclamp and remove finished workpieces from tables.Dispose of waste material after completing work assignments.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Rulers, squares, and caliper rules — use to measure and mark workpieces for cuts under direct supervisor guidance on the production floor.Circular saws and band saws — operate following step-by-step instructions to cut wood to specified dimensions in a supervised shop environment.Saw blades and attachments — mount and bolt to machine shafts with assistance, following established safety protocols.Handwheels, pedals, and levers — adjust to set blade position under technician direction before beginning a cutting run.Raw lumber stock — inspect visually for obvious surface defects and imperfections with guidance from an experienced operator.Workpieces — guide against saw blades using basic hand technique under close supervision to produce straight cuts.Machine jams — recognize and report to a supervisor promptly during routine sawing operations.Wrenches and basic hand tools — use to perform simple blade adjustments following written maintenance instructions.Personal protective equipment and shop safety rules — apply consistently at all times on the production floor.Inventory management software — enter basic production counts and material usage data under supervisor direction.
developing
Caliper rules and squares — apply independently to measure and verify cut accuracy across a variety of workpiece sizes in a production mill setting.Multiple-blade sawing machines and ripsaws — set up and operate routinely with minimal oversight to meet daily dimensional specifications.Blade tension and machine speed controls — monitor and adjust during production runs to maintain cut quality and prevent equipment faults.Worn or defective saw blades — replace using hand tools following standard maintenance schedules without supervisor prompting.Lumber stock — grade and estimate quality by inspecting for knots, warping, and grain irregularities to sort material before cutting.Automatic feeding devices — operate and configure to guide workpieces through consistent cutting cycles on familiar material types.Common machine jams and misfeeds — troubleshoot and clear using established procedures to minimize production downtime.Saw blades — sharpen using appropriate tools and techniques on a routine maintenance cycle to sustain cutting performance.Industrial control software — use to monitor machine parameters and log operational data during standard production shifts.Cut dimension records — document accurately using spreadsheet software to support quality tracking and material yield reporting.
proficient
Scroll saws, crozer machines, and multi-blade systems — set up and operate autonomously across varied wood species and complex cut profiles in high-volume production.Blade alignment, tension, and feed rate — diagnose and correct non-routine equipment issues to restore dimensional accuracy with minimal production loss.Workpiece measurements and finished cuts — verify against engineering specifications using precision instruments to ensure consistent quality control compliance.Stock grading and defect assessment — perform independently across full material lots to optimize yield and minimize waste on the shop floor.Machine performance patterns — analyze over production runs to identify recurring faults and recommend preventive maintenance actions.Blade sharpening and replacement procedures — execute across multiple saw types using correct tools and techniques, adapting to varying blade geometries.Safety hazards and near-miss incidents — identify, assess, and address proactively to maintain a safe operating environment for all personnel.Production throughput and cut accuracy data — review using spreadsheet and document management software to support process improvement decisions.New operators and trainees — demonstrate proper workpiece handling, machine setup, and safety practices in side-by-side on-the-job coaching sessions.Non-standard or complex workpieces — guide through saws using advanced hand technique and custom jig setups to achieve precise results.
advanced
Sawing machine setup standards and operating procedures — develop and implement across the full production department to drive consistency and output quality.Blade maintenance programs and replacement schedules — design and oversee facility-wide to reduce unplanned downtime and extend equipment service life.Quality control inspection criteria — establish and communicate for all wood-cutting operations, ensuring alignment with customer and regulatory requirements.Emerging sawing technologies and machinery — evaluate and recommend for adoption to improve throughput, precision, and worker safety at the organizational level.Production operators and machine tenders — mentor, assess, and develop across all skill levels to build a capable and self-sufficient shop workforce.Cross-functional production, maintenance, and safety teams — lead in diagnosing systemic equipment and workflow problems and implementing lasting solutions.Industrial control and inventory management software — direct the configuration and use of across the department to improve data-driven operational decision-making.Workplace safety culture and hazard mitigation strategies — champion and reinforce organization-wide to reduce injury rates and ensure regulatory compliance.Material yield metrics and waste reduction initiatives — analyze and lead improvement efforts using production data to lower costs and increase profitability.Departmental performance goals and productivity targets — set, track, and communicate to production teams, aligning daily operations with organizational business objectives.
Also known as
211 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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