Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Production Occupations
O*NET-SOC code
51-7042.00

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.

  • Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08

    Low· relative

    LowFour relative bandsVery high

    Group-level value

    Scale, basis and source

    Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)

    831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band

    Source dataset (XLSX download)

  • Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03

    0.000

    0.000Range of values carried here0.745
    Scale, basis and source

    Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published

    Mapped onto O*NET tasks

    Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value

    Source dataset (CSV download)

  • Data source: ILOPublished: 2025

    0.22

    0.09Range of values carried here0.70

    Group-level value

    Scale, basis and source

    Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published

    Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published

    Source dataset (PDF download)

What kind of figure this source publishes

The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.

Task-level exposure

Show 23 hidden tasks

26 rated tasks · 3 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (11.5%)

β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.

  • Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
  • 1 rated task is not in the O*NET 31.0 task list; its score is kept as published for O*NET 27.2.
Source
OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
Release
gh-main-0471612
License
MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI

Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime.

Task (O*NET 27.2)βE1 + 0.5 × E2
Set up, program, or control computer-aided design (CAD) or computer numerical control (CNC) machines.

O*NET Task ID 12292

1.0
Determine product specifications and materials, work methods, and machine setup requirements, according to blueprints, oral or written instructions, drawings, or work orders.

O*NET Task ID 12275

0.5
Examine raw woodstock for defects and to ensure conformity to size and other specification standards.

O*NET Task ID 12291

0.5

β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.

Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page

All O*NET 31.0 task statements (25)

All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.

Task (O*NET 31.0)Type
Start machines, adjust controls, and make trial cuts to ensure that machinery is operating properly.Core
Determine product specifications and materials, work methods, and machine setup requirements, according to blueprints, oral or written instructions, drawings, or work orders.Core
Feed stock through feed mechanisms or conveyors into planing, shaping, boring, mortising, or sanding machines to produce desired components.Core
Adjust machine tables or cutting devices and set controls on machines to produce specified cuts or operations.Core
Monitor operation of machines and make adjustments to correct problems and ensure conformance to specifications.Core
Set up, program, operate, or tend computerized or manual woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, or wood-nailing machines.Core
Select knives, saws, blades, cutter heads, cams, bits, or belts, according to workpiece, machine functions, or product specifications.Core
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.Core
Install and adjust blades, cutterheads, boring-bits, or sanding-belts, using hand tools and rules.Core
Inspect and mark completed workpieces and stack them on pallets, in boxes, or on conveyors so that they can be moved to the next workstation.Core
Push or hold workpieces against, under, or through cutting, boring, or shaping mechanisms.Core
Change alignment and adjustment of sanding, cutting, or boring machine guides to prevent defects in finished products, using hand tools.Core
Inspect pulleys, drive belts, guards, or fences on machines to ensure that machines will operate safely.Core
Remove and replace worn parts, bits, belts, sandpaper, or shaping tools.Core
Secure woodstock against a guide or in a holding device, place woodstock on a conveyor, or dump woodstock in a hopper to feed woodstock into machines.Core
Clean or maintain products, machines, or work areas.Core
Attach and adjust guides, stops, clamps, chucks, or feed mechanisms, using hand tools.Core
Examine raw woodstock for defects and to ensure conformity to size and other specification standards.Core
Trim wood parts according to specifications, using planes, chisels, or wood files or sanders.Core
Grease or oil woodworking machines.Core
Set up, program, or control computer-aided design (CAD) or computer numerical control (CNC) machines.Supplemental
Operate gluing machines to glue pieces of wood together, or to press and affix wood veneer to wood surfaces.Supplemental
Unclamp workpieces and remove them from machines.Supplemental
Start machines and move levers to engage hydraulic lifts that press woodstocks into desired forms and disengage lifts after appropriate drying times.Supplemental
Control hoists to remove parts or products from work stations.Supplemental

Occupation information

Employment outlook (BLS)

Employment, 2025
61K
Projected employment, 2035
59K
Change (2025–35)
-2.5%
Median annual wage, 2025
$43,380
Typical education needed for entry
High school diploma or equivalent
lowest $30,890median wage across 825 detailed occupations, BLS EP 2025–35highest $559,030

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — Employment by detailed occupation, 2025 and projected 2035

Korea classification links (KSCO)

Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.

KSCO codeKSCO titleRelationStatus
89119그 외 목재 가공 관련 기계 조작원This occupation is narrowerconfirmed

Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)

ILO occupational description

AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.

  • ISCO-08 7523Woodworking Machine Tool Setters and Operators

Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits

ESCO occupational vocabulary

Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.

  • chipper operatorESCO 8172.1This occupation is broader

    Chipper operators tend machines that chip wood into small pieces for use in particle board, for further processing into pulp, or for use in its own right. Wood is fed into the chipper and shredded or crushed using a variety of mechanisms.

  • engineered wood board machine operatorESCO 8172.4This occupation is broader

    Engineered wood board machine operators work with machines to bond particles or fibres made from wood or cork. Various industrial glues or resins are applied to obtain fibre board, particle board or cork board.

  • nailing machine operatorESCO 7523.1This occupation is broader

    Nailing machine operators work with machines that nail wooden elements together, usually hydraulically. They put the elements to be nailed in the right position, and monitor the process to prevent downtime.

  • planer thicknesser operatorESCO 8172.5.2This occupation is broader

    Planer thicknesser operators use machinery to shave wood planks to a uniform thickness. The machine usually planes both sides of the plank in one operation. They feed the plank into the machine carefully to prevent excess planing at the edge known as 'snipe'.

  • wood boring machine operatorESCO 7523.2This occupation is broader

    Wood boring machine operators use milling machines or specialise boring jigs to cut holes in wood workpieces. Wood boring differs from routing mainly in that the main movement is into the workpiece as opposed to across its surface.

  • wood pallet makerESCO 7523.4This occupation is broader

    Wood pallet makers create wood pallets for use in storage, shipping and manipulation of goods. Pallet makers operate a machine that takes in usually low-grade softwood planks treated with heat or chemicals and nails them together. The material and shape of the pallets, the treatment methods, and the number and pattern of nails used are all highly standardised to make exchange of used pallets possible.

  • wood router operatorESCO 8172.5.5This occupation is broader

    Wood router operators work with industrial routers to cut wood into the desired shape. Routers have a routing head that moves over the wood, going up and down to regulate the depth of the incision. Contemporary industrial wood routers usually are computer controlled for extremely fine and consistent results.

  • wood treaterESCO 7521.2This occupation is broader

    Wood treaters apply treatments to wood to make it resistant to environmental factors like mould, cold, moisture, or staining. Treatments may also contribute to the colour of the wood. Wood treaters may use chemicals, heat, gasses, UV light, or a combination of these to treat wood.

  • wooden furniture machine operatorESCO 7523.3This occupation is broader

    Wooden furniture machine operators run machines that manufacture wooden furniture parts, according to the established operating procedure. They ensure the machine works smoothly and repair parts if necessary.

  • woodturnerESCO 7523.6This occupation is broader

    Woodturners use a lathe to remove superfluous material from wood. The lathe turns the workpiece around its axis, as shape tools are used to obtain the desired shape.

Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)

License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)

View original

ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.

France classification links (ROME)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.

ROME codeROME title (French)Relation
H2202Conducteur / Conductrice de ligne de production en industrie du boisSame scopeprovisional
H2205Opérateur / Opératrice de production en industrie du boisOverlapping, not the sameprovisional
H2203Conducteur / Conductrice de machines de fabrication de panneaux à base de boisRelated, not a matchprovisional
H2215Caissier / Caissière de l'emballage industrielRelated, not a matchprovisional

Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.

ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)

Spain classification links (CNO-11)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

CNO-11 codeCNO-11 title (Spanish)Relation
7812Ajustadores y operadores de máquinas para trabajar la maderaThis occupation is narrower
8144Operadores de serrerías, de máquinas de fabricación de tableros y de instalaciones afines para el tratamiento de la madera y el corchoRelated, not a match

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)

Germany classification links (KldB)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

KldB codeKldB title (German)Relation
22302Berufe in der Holzbe- und -verarbeitung (ohne Spezialisierung) - fachlich ausgerichtete TätigkeitenThis occupation is broader
22332Berufe in der Produktion von Fertigprodukten aus Holz und Holzwerkstoffen - fachlich ausgerichtete TätigkeitenThis occupation is broaderprovisional
22301Berufe in der Holzbe- und -verarbeitung (ohne Spezialisierung) - Helfer-/AnlerntätigkeitenRelated, not a match
93332Berufe in der Drechslerei und Spielzeugherstellung - fachlich ausgerichtete TätigkeitenRelated, not a matchprovisional

Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)

Japan classification links (JSCO)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

JSCO codeJSCO title (Japanese)Relation
536木・紙製品製造従事者This occupation is narrowerprovisional
506木・紙製品生産設備制御・監視員Related, not a matchprovisional

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)

Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources