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Occupation · SOC 51-7042

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, except Sawing

There are 61,420 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $43,380 a year. The most jobs are in Grand Rapids–Wyoming–Kentwood, MI.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
61,420
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$43,380
Median pay a year
Middle half: $37,100–$48,720
5,300
Annual openings
10-year change: −2.5%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 158 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Grand Rapids–Wyoming–Kentwood, MIMedian pay $47,720 · LCA filings 02,780$47,7200
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $40,440 · LCA filings 01,250$40,4400
Elkhart–Goshen, INMedian pay $44,790 · LCA filings 01,070$44,7900
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $37,370 · LCA filings 01,010$37,3700
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $42,860 · LCA filings 0920$42,8600
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $45,660 · LCA filings 0850$45,6600
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $49,050 · LCA filings 0820$49,0500
Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton, NCMedian pay $38,310 · LCA filings 0720$38,3100
Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCMedian pay $42,070 · LCA filings 0680$42,0700
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $39,200 · LCA filings 0620$39,2000

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Des Moines–West Des Moines, IAEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$60,070700
Longview–Kelso, WAEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$59,550700
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIEmployment 320 · LCA filings 0$56,9503200
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 350 · LCA filings 0$56,1803500
Albany, OREmployment 110 · LCA filings 0$56,1801100

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Grand Rapids–Wyoming–Kentwood, MILevel II $44,720 · Level III $47,278 · Level IV $49,816$42,182$44,720$47,278$49,816
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $39,811 · Level III $42,536 · Level IV $45,240$37,107$39,811$42,536$45,240
Elkhart–Goshen, INLevel II $40,560 · Level III $45,074 · Level IV $49,587$36,046$40,560$45,074$49,587
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $36,962 · Level III $40,768 · Level IV $44,554$33,176$36,962$40,768$44,554
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $41,517 · Level III $44,762 · Level IV $48,027$38,251$41,517$44,762$48,027
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $41,787 · Level III $45,594 · Level IV $49,400$37,981$41,787$45,594$49,400
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $46,238 · Level III $53,186 · Level IV $60,133$39,291$46,238$53,186$60,133
Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton, NCLevel II $36,358 · Level III $40,144 · Level IV $43,909$32,594$36,358$40,144$43,909
Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCLevel II $39,062 · Level III $43,118 · Level IV $47,195$34,986$39,062$43,118$47,195
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $34,965 · Level III $38,750 · Level IV $42,536$31,179$34,965$38,750$42,536

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
WoodworkingCIP 48.07OPT · up to 12 months16OPT · up to 12 months

See Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, except Sawing in every metro area

All 158 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology