Overview
Responsibilities
T-A-S-K
Education
Income & Employability
Video Resources
Related Careers

Description

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.

Interests

  • Realistic
  • Conventional

Learn More about Interests

Work Values

  • Support
  • Independence
  • Working Conditions

Learn More about Work Values

Work Styles

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Independence
  • Integrity

Learn More about Work Styles

Tasks

  • 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.
  • Monitor operation of machines and make adjustments to correct problems and ensure conformance to specifications.
  • Examine raw woodstock for defects and to ensure conformity to size and other specification standards.

Work Activities

  • Controlling Machines and Processes
  • Handling and Moving Objects
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  • Getting Information
  • Performing General Physical Activities

Detailed Work Activities

  • Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
  • Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Technology Skills

  • Computer aided design CAD software
  • Video creation and editing software
  • Graphics or photo imaging software
  • Operating system software
  • Spreadsheet software

Abilities

  • Near Vision
  • Reaction Time
  • Control Precision
  • Manual Dexterity
  • Oral Comprehension

Skills

  • Operations Monitoring
  • Operation and Control
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Monitoring
  • Critical Thinking

Knowledge

  • Mechanical

Most Common Education Level

The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.

Certificates

Certifying Organization

National Institute for Metalworking Skills

Type

Core

Income Percentile

The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.

Income PercentileAnnual Income
Low (10%)$36,516
Median (50%)$38,516
High (90%)$44,229

Income by Experience

This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).

ExperienceIncome
Entry Level N/A
Mid Level N/A
Senior Level N/A
Expert Level N/A

Employability

There are currently 60,600 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to decrease to 59,300 positions, reflecting a projected decline of -2%.

The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.

Projected Job Growth of -2%

Related Careers

The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.

footer logo

Your One Stop Shop For All Career Resources

Whether you are exploring new career paths, building your resume, or preparing for your next opportunity, our tools, templates, and guidance are designed to help you navigate your career journey with clarity and confidence.

instagram
linkedin
tiktok
youtube