# 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.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 51-7041.00
- **Summary:** Set up, operate, or tend wood sawing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment. Includes lead sawyers.

## Aliases

- Resaw Operator
- Rip Saw Operator
- Saw Operator
- Sawyer
- Bandmill Operator
- Cut Off Saw Operator
- Edgerman
- Knot Saw Operator
- Panel Saw Operator
- Planer
- Automatic Bandsaw Tender
- Automatic Edger

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Inspect and measure workpieces to mark for cuts and to verify the accuracy of cuts, using rulers, squares, or caliper rules. | Core | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Adjust saw blades, using wrenches and rulers, or by turning handwheels or pressing pedals, levers, or panel buttons. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Mount and bolt sawing blades or attachments to machine shafts. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.f |
| Adjust bolts, clamps, stops, guides, or table angles or heights, using hand tools. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.2.at |
| 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. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Examine logs or lumber to plan the best cuts. | Supplemental | 4.A.1.b.2.j |
| Inspect stock for imperfections or to estimate grades or qualities of stock or workpieces. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.j |
| Trim lumber to straighten rough edges or remove defects, using circular saws. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.2.l |
| Monitor sawing machines, adjusting speed and tension and clearing jams to ensure proper operation. | Core | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Sharpen blades, or replace defective or worn blades or bands, using hand tools. | Core | 4.A.3.b.4.c |
| Count, sort, or stack finished workpieces. | Supplemental | 4.A.1.b.2.f |
| Guide workpieces against saws, saw over workpieces by hand, or operate automatic feeding devices to guide cuts. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.f |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Set equipment controls to meet cutting specifications. | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications. | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Inspect lumber or raw woodstock. | 4.A.1.b.2.j |
| Operate woodworking equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.l |
| Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.f |
| Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning. | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Clear equipment jams. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Select production input materials. | 4.A.2.b.1.j |
| Select production equipment according to product specifications. | 4.A.2.b.1.j |
| Maneuver workpieces in equipment during production. | 4.A.3.a.2.f |
| Operate cutting equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.l |
| Set equipment guides, stops, spacers, or other fixtures. | 4.A.3.a.2.at |
| Replace worn equipment components. | 4.A.3.b.4.c |
| Sharpen cutting or grinding tools. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Count finished products or workpieces. | 4.A.1.b.2.f |
| Sort materials or products for processing, storing, shipping, or grading. | 4.A.2.a.2.b |
| Stack finished items for further processing or shipment. | 4.A.3.a.1.f |
| Clean production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Lubricate production equipment. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Dispose of trash or waste materials. | 4.A.3.a.1.e |
| Measure materials to mark reference points, cutting lines, or other indicators. | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements. | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Study blueprints or other instructions to determine equipment setup requirements. | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences. | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Trim excess material from workpieces. | 4.A.3.a.2.l |
| Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.f |
| Position raw materials on processing or production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.f |
| Shape metal workpieces with hammers or other small hand tools. | 4.A.3.a.2.g |
| Cut industrial materials in preparation for fabrication or processing. | 4.A.3.a.2.l |
| Remove products or workpieces from production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.an |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Control Precision | ability | 3.62 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 3.38 |
| Manual Dexterity | ability | 3.38 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.38 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.25 |
| Finger Dexterity | ability | 3.25 |
| Rate Control | ability | 3.25 |
| Reaction Time | ability | 3.25 |
| Production and Processing | knowledge | 3.24 |
| Mechanical | knowledge | 3.21 |
| Operations Monitoring | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Operation and Control | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3.12 |
| Multilimb Coordination | ability | 3.12 |
| Trunk Strength | ability | 3.12 |
| Stamina | ability | 3.12 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3 |
| Troubleshooting | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Quality Control Analysis | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 3 |
| Static Strength | ability | 3 |
| Far Vision | ability | 3 |
| Depth Perception | ability | 3 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 2.88 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 2.88 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 2.88 |
| Perceptual Speed | ability | 2.88 |
| Visualization | ability | 2.88 |
| Auditory Attention | ability | 2.88 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 2.88 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 2.75 |
| Equipment Maintenance | transferable_skill | 2.75 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 2.75 |
| Time Management | transferable_skill | 2.75 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 2.75 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 2.75 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | ability | 2.75 |
| Public Safety and Security | knowledge | 2.65 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Adobe Acrobat | Specialized Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Presentation Software | Specialized Skill |
| Industrial Control Software | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Adobe Acrobat | Document management software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | no |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| Automated inventory software | Inventory management software | no | no |
| Computerized numerical control CNC software | Industrial control software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 5 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 4.91 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 4.77 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 4.68 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.6 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 4.5 |
| Spend Time Standing | 4.48 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 4.44 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.3 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 4.21 |
| Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | 4.21 |
| Time Pressure | 4.18 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 4.05 |
| Contact With Others | 3.94 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 3.85 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 3.75 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 3.73 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 3.71 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 3.59 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.55 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 3.44 |
| Physical Proximity | 3.28 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 3.22 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.17 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 3.09 |
| Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | 2.9 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 2.85 |
| Level of Competition | 2.78 |
| Consequence of Error | 2.64 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 2.53 |
| Degree of Automation | 2.52 |
| Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling | 2.33 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 2.23 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 2.21 |
| Telephone Conversations | 2.19 |
| Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions | 2.04 |
| Conflict Situations | 2.03 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | 2.01 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 1.97 |
| Exposed to High Places | 1.94 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 2
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- **Experience:** Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- **Svp Range:** (Below 6.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| High School Diploma | 59.25 |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 21.75 |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 9.5 |
| Some College Courses | 9.5 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 7 |
| Construction/Woodwork | specific_interest_area | 6.23 |
| Physical/Manual Labor | specific_interest_area | 4.8 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 3.87 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 3.36 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 2.36 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 2.34 |
| Dependability | work_style | 2.11 |
| Transportation/Machine Operation | specific_interest_area | 2.01 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 1.96 |
| Engineering | specific_interest_area | 1.91 |
| Information Technology | specific_interest_area | 1.33 |
| Accounting | specific_interest_area | 1.17 |
| Social | career_interest_type | 1.16 |
| Stress Tolerance | work_style | 1.16 |
| Mathematics/Statistics | specific_interest_area | 1.15 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 51-7042.00 | role-51-7042-00 | Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | Primary-Short |
| 51-9032.00 | role-51-9032-00 | Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | Primary-Short |
| 51-9022.00 | role-51-9022-00 | Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand | Primary-Short |
| 51-9031.00 | role-51-9031-00 | Cutters and Trimmers, Hand | Primary-Short |
| 51-4033.00 | role-51-4033-00 | Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Short |
| 51-4031.00 | role-51-4031-00 | Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Long |
| 51-4035.00 | role-51-4035-00 | Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Long |
| 51-6062.00 | role-51-6062-00 | Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | Primary-Long |
| 51-4194.00 | role-51-4194-00 | Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners | Primary-Long |
| 51-4034.00 | role-51-4034-00 | Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Long |
| 51-4081.00 | role-51-4081-00 | Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Supplemental |
| 51-4111.00 | role-51-4111-00 | Tool and Die Makers | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Advanced Manufacturing | advanced-manufacturing |

## Education Level

- **Category:** High school diploma or equivalent

## Study Programs

| Title | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Precision Production | precision-production |

## Market

- **Median Wage:** 39950
- **Mean Wage:** 42390
- **Pct10Wage:** 29670
- **Pct25Wage:** 35550
- **Pct75Wage:** 47770
- **Pct90Wage:** 56560
- **Employment:** 43140
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 36850 | 39780 | 10.32 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 3370 | 42340 | 2 |
| 44-45 | 44-45 | Retail Trade | Sector | 1090 | 42380 | 0.25 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 810 | 34610 | 0.32 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 620 | 36090 | 0.84 |
| 11 | 11 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | Sector | 460 | 46500 | 3.88 |
| 23 | 23 | Construction | Sector | 200 | 53330 | 0.09 |
| 48-49 | 48-49 | Transportation and Warehousing | Sector | 150 | 40040 | 0.07 |
| 81 | 81 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | Sector | 70 | 44210 |  |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 30 | 48620 |  |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 36850 | 10.32 |
| 11 | 11 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | Sector | 460 | 3.88 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 3370 | 2 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 620 | 0.84 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 810 | 0.32 |
| 44-45 | 44-45 | Retail Trade | Sector | 1090 | 0.25 |
| 23 | 23 | Construction | Sector | 200 | 0.09 |
| 48-49 | 48-49 | Transportation and Warehousing | Sector | 150 | 0.07 |
- **Count:** 10

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.86 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | -1.165031 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | -0.8215746 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -1.265049 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 20
- **Percentile:** 17
- **Band:** Low
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 12 | felten_aioe |
| 16 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 33 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | -1.165031 | 12 | Low | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.11764705882352941 | 16 | Low | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.10891064297828398 | 33 | Low | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.86
- **Percentile:** 72
- **Band:** High
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0
- **Beta:** 0.058823529411764705
- **Gamma:** 0.11764705882352941

### Usage Tasks


### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** -0.6
- **Growth Percentile:** 24
- **Direction:** Declining
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 4.8
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 48
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 45
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 44.7

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 22
- **Skills:** 37
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 7
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** cbf46eeaea332d30