Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood
Set up, operate, or tend wood sawing machines. May operate CNC equipment. Includes lead sawyers.
How AI Impacts Each Task
24 tasks analyzed
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.
Adjust bolts, clamps, stops, guides, or table angles or heights, using hand tools.
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.
Examine logs or lumber to plan the best cuts.
Inspect stock for imperfections or to estimate grades or qualities of stock or workpieces.
Trim lumber to straighten rough edges or remove defects, using circular saws.
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.
Count, sort, or stack finished workpieces.
Guide workpieces against saws, saw over workpieces by hand, or operate automatic feeding devices to guide cuts.
Position and clamp stock on tables, conveyors, or carriages, using hoists, guides, stops, dogs, wedges, or wrenches.
Unload and roll logs from trucks to sawmill decks or to carriages or move logs in ponds, using pike poles.
Measure and mark stock for cuts.
Operate panelboards of saw or conveyor systems to move stock through processes or to cut stock to specified dimensions.
Pull tables back against stops and depress pedals to advance cutterheads that shape stock ends.
Examine blueprints, drawings, work orders, or patterns to determine equipment set-up or selection details, procedures to be used, or dimensions of final products.
Clear machine jams, using hand tools.
Select saw blades, types or grades of stock, or cutting procedures to be used, according to work orders or supervisors' instructions.
Cut grooves, bevels, or miters, saw curved or irregular designs, and sever or shape metals, according to specifications or work orders.
Unclamp and remove finished workpieces from tables.
Lubricate or clean machines, using wrenches, grease guns, or solvents.
Dispose of waste material after completing work assignments.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inspect and measure workpieces to mark for cuts and to verify the accuracy of cuts, using rulers, squares, or caliper rules. | 15Estimated | 39.0% | 5% | |
| Adjust saw blades, using wrenches and rulers, or by turning handwheels or pressing pedals, levers, or panel buttons. | 10Estimated | 37.0% | 4% | |
| Mount and bolt sawing blades or attachments to machine shafts. | 10Estimated | 37.0% | 3% | |
| Adjust bolts, clamps, stops, guides, or table angles or heights, using hand tools. | 10Estimated | 37.0% | 3% | |
| 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. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 15% | |
| Examine logs or lumber to plan the best cuts. | 80Estimated | 59.0% | 5% | |
| Inspect stock for imperfections or to estimate grades or qualities of stock or workpieces. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 4% | |
| Trim lumber to straighten rough edges or remove defects, using circular saws. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 4% | |
| Monitor sawing machines, adjusting speed and tension and clearing jams to ensure proper operation. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 8% | |
| Sharpen blades or replace defective or worn blades or bands, using hand tools. | 10Estimated | 37.0% | 2% | |
| Count, sort, or stack finished workpieces. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 4% | |
| Guide workpieces against saws, saw over workpieces by hand, or operate automatic feeding devices to guide cuts. | 15Estimated | 39.0% | 10% | |
| Position and clamp stock on tables, conveyors, or carriages, using hoists, guides, stops, dogs, wedges, or wrenches. | 15Estimated | 39.0% | 4% | |
| Unload and roll logs from trucks to sawmill decks or to carriages or move logs in ponds, using pike poles. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 2% | |
| Measure and mark stock for cuts. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 3% | |
| Operate panelboards of saw or conveyor systems to move stock through processes or to cut stock to specified dimensions. | 65Estimated | 59.0% | 5% | |
| Pull tables back against stops and depress pedals to advance cutterheads that shape stock ends. | 15Estimated | 39.0% | 2% | |
| Examine blueprints, drawings, work orders, or patterns to determine equipment set-up or selection details, procedures to be used, or dimensions of final products. | 36.38Observed | 63.8% | 3% | |
| Clear machine jams, using hand tools. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 2% | |
| Select saw blades, types or grades of stock, or cutting procedures to be used, according to work orders or supervisors' instructions. | 82Estimated | 82.0% | 3% | |
| Cut grooves, bevels, or miters, saw curved or irregular designs, and sever or shape metals, according to specifications or work orders. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 3% | |
| Unclamp and remove finished workpieces from tables. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 2% | |
| Lubricate or clean machines, using wrenches, grease guns, or solvents. | 10Estimated | 37.0% | 2% | |
| Dispose of waste material after completing work assignments. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 2% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
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Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis