SOC 51-7042
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
Risk Score
⚠️63/100
High Risk
US Employment
👥63,350
Total workers
Median Wage
💰$40K
$31K – $54K
Projected Growth
📈-1.8%
2023-2033 (BLS)
GenAI Exposure
🤖36/100
Moderate exposure
💡 Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing face a risk score of 63/100 — 19 points above the national average of 44. With only 36/100 GenAI exposure, most core tasks remain resistant to current AI capabilities. See our methodology →
💡 Workers in this field earn $40K. The 3 recommended career transitions all maintain competitive wages while reducing automation exposure. Explore transition paths →
🔍 AI Impact Analysis
With a risk score of 63/100, Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing faces moderate automation pressure. While tasks like smart factory scheduling and production optimization are increasingly handled by AI, the role retains significant human elements. The 63,350 workers in this occupation should focus on strengthening skills in handling non-standard materials and configurations and troubleshooting complex equipment malfunctions to stay ahead. The role will likely evolve rather than disappear.
Will AI Replace Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing?
Read our full analysis with verdict, risk factors, safe tasks, and career transition paths →
⚠️ Top Risk Factors
Smart factory scheduling and production optimization
Industrial robotics replacing manual assembly tasks
Cobots handling repetitive material handling tasks
AI quality inspection via computer vision systems
🛡️ Tasks Safe from Automation
Handling non-standard materials and configurations
Troubleshooting complex equipment malfunctions
Quality judgment requiring tactile and visual inspection
📊 vs National Average
National avg: $46K
National avg: 44/100
National avg: 38/100
National avg: 3.7%
🔄 Career Transition Paths
| Occupation | Risk | Wage | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineers | 20 | $106K | 51% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | 25 | $62K | 61% |
| Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers | 33 | $68K | 75% |