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.

Also called: Bandmill Operator, Cut Off Saw Operator, Edgerman, Knot Saw Operator, Panel Saw Operator, Planer, Resaw Operator, Rip Saw Operator, Saw Operator, Sawyer, Automatic Bandsaw Tender, Automatic Edger, Automatic Log Cut-Off Sawyer, Backup Sawyer, Band Saw Operator, Band Saw Runner, Band Sawyer, Band Scroll Saw Operator, Bandsaw Operator, Bead Cutter, Beading Sawyer, Bill Cutter, Billet Cutter, Block Bolter Mule Operator, Block Cutter, Block Saw Operator, Block Sawyer, Board Saw Runner, Bolt Machine Operator, Bolt Maker, Bolter, Bottom Saw Operator, Butting Saw Operator, Button Sawyer, Buzzsaw Operator, Casey Saw Operator, Chain Saw Driver, Chop Saw Operator, Chucking and Sawing Machine Operator, Circle Cutting Saw Operator, Circle Saw Operator, Circular Head Saw Operator, Clipper Machine Operator, Clipper Operator, Cob Sawyer, Coping Machine Operator, Cordwood Cutter, Cork Slabs Sawyer, Corner Brace Block Machine Operator, Corner Former, Corner Trimmer Operator, Cross Cut Saw Operator, Crosscutter, Croze Machine Operator, Crozer, Crozer Operator, Curve Saw Operator, Cut Off Sawyer, Cut Off Worker, Debarker Operator, Defect Cutter, Dimension Mill Worker, Door Cutter, Dowel Pointer, Drag Sawyer, Dragsaw Operator, Drum Saw Operator, Edge Runner, Edge Sawyer, Edger, Edger Feeder, Edger Operator, Edger Runner, Edger Saw Operator, Edging Catcher, Edging Machine Operator, Equalizer, Equalizer Operator, Gang Head Saw Operator, Gang Saw Operator, Gang Sawyer, Hardwood Sawyer, Head Packager, Head Sawyer, Heading Saw Operator, Heading Up Machine Operator, Headrig Sawyer, Hewer, Hoop Cutter, Jigsaw Operator, Jigsawyer, Kerfer Machine Operator, Knee Bolter, Knife Setter, Knot Cutter, Lather, Lathmaker, Log Chipper, Log Cut Off Sawyer, Log Cut-Off Sawyer, Log Sawyer, Lumber Planer, Lumber Trimmer, Lumber Yard Worker, Machine Tank Operator, Matcher Operator, Matching Machine Operator, Miller, Mine Wedge Sawyer, Miter Operator, Miter Saw Operator, Miter Sawyer, Mitering Machine Operator, Plug Saw Operator, Pocket Cutter, Pond Sawyer, Pony Edger, Pony Trimmer, Portable Sawmill Operator, Power Wood Sawyer, Prop Cutter, Prop Sawyer, Radial Arm Saw Operator, Radial Saw Operator, Ratchet Setter, Resaw Carriage Operator, Resawyer, Resizer Operator, Rip and Groove Machine Operator, Rip Sawyer, Ripper, Ripsaw Operator, Saw Runner, Sawmill Hand, Sawmill Pony Edger, Sawmill Worker, Shake Cutter, Shake Maker, Shake Sawyer, Shake Splitter, Shaping Machine Tender, Shim Plug Cutter, Shingle Cutter, Shingle Sawyer, Shingle Trimmer, Side Sawyer, Slasher, Slasher Operator, Splitter, Stave and Bolt Equalizer, Stave Bolt Equalizer, Stave Cutter, Stave Hewer, Stave Log Cut-Off Saw Operator, Stave Log Ripsaw Operator, Stave Saw Operator, Stile Ripsaw Operator, Stock Cutter, Stock Grader, Stock Patch Sawyer, Swing Saw Operator, Tail Edger, Tail Sawyer, Tail Trimmer, Tenon Machine Operator, Tenoner Operator, Tie Sawyer, Timber Cutter, Timber Trimmer, Trim Saw Operator, Trim Sawyer, Trimmer, Trimmer Machine Operator, Trimmer Sawyer, Trimming Machine Operator, Turning Machine Operator, Unisaw Operator, Utility Operator, Variety Saw Operator, Veneer Clipper, Veneer Cutter, Veneer Sawyer, Whip Sawyer, Wood Cutter, Wood Gang Sawyer, Wood Sawyer, Wood Type Cutter

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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.

Skills, machines and equipment

Operations Monitoring
Operation and Control
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Troubleshooting
Quality Control Analysis
Active Listening
Equipment Maintenance
Judgment and Decision Making
Time Management
Speaking
Coordination

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (59.25% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

36,510–48,620 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 51-7041.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (59.25% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood