Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
Machines can already do 20% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 60%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 20% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2033, and 60% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 61,420 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $43,380 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 61% for contact with people.
- Also called: Boring Machine Operator, Cabinet Maker, Knot Saw Operator, Lathe Operator.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Set up, program, operate, or tend computerized or manual woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, or wood-nailing machines | 18% | 20% to 60% | |
| Monitor operation of machines and make adjustments to correct problems and ensure conformance to specifications | 9% | 20% to 60% | |
| 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 | 7% | 20% to 60% | |
| Feed stock through feed mechanisms or conveyors into planing, shaping, boring, mortising, or sanding machines to produce desired components | 7% | 20% to 60% | |
| Adjust machine tables or cutting devices and set controls on machines to produce specified cuts or operations | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Install and adjust blades, cutterheads, boring-bits, or sanding-belts, using hand tools and rules | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Push or hold workpieces against, under, or through cutting, boring, or shaping mechanisms | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| 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 | 5% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Engine and Other Machine Assemblers59% of tasks by 2035 · US median $53,710
- Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons55% of tasks by 2035 · US median $61,290
- Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic57% of tasks by 2035 · US median $47,720
- Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation58% of tasks by 2035 · US median $92,100
What should you do about it?
Open this job in the Workforce Starburst to see it for your country, then use these to act on it.
Watch This Job
Get told when the outlook for this job changes.
Free planSkills to learn next
The skills that make this job, or the next one, last longer.
In the StarburstCheck your readiness
Ten quick questions on how ready you are.
FreeAsk Vantage
Ask what this job means for you and get a sourced answer.
Free to askFutures Academy courses
Courses matched to your gaps.
Coming soonPay trend
Where pay for this job is heading.
Coming soonTeam plan
Every role in your team, side by side, with a plan for each.
Pro and CorporateShared workspace
Work through it with your team, with notes and decisions kept.
Pro and Corporate
Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2033. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing?
Machines can do 20% of the tasks of woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing today and 60% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 51-7042.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/woodworking-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-except-sawing/