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Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood

The short answer

This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to shrink over the next decade, with about 108 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.

How much AI could touch this job

Least exposedband 1 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with a small part of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

This job is in the least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.

AI can help with or automate about 14% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Examine logs or lumber to plan the best cuts.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  2. Inspect stock for imperfections or to estimate grades or qualities of stock or workpieces.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  3. Examine blueprints, drawings, work orders, or patterns to determine equipment set-up or selection details, procedures to be used, or dimensions of final products.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Inspect and measure workpieces to mark for cuts and to verify the accuracy of cuts, using rulers, squares, or caliper rules.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Adjust saw blades, using wrenches and rulers, or by turning handwheels or pressing pedals, levers, or panel buttons.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Mount and bolt sawing blades or attachments to machine shafts.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Adjust bolts, clamps, stops, guides, or table angles or heights, using hand tools.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. 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.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

    Very similar work
    +3% pay116 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 3% more—$44,721 vs your $43,215 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Control Precision
    • Mechanical
    • Reaction Time
    • Near Vision
    • Finger Dexterity

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

    Very similar work
    +18% pay191 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 18% more—$50,811 vs your $43,215 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Control Precision
    • Reaction Time
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Near Vision
    • Finger Dexterity

    New skills to build

    • Administration and Management
  • Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    Very similar work
    +18% pay360 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 18% more—$51,031 vs your $43,215 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Control Precision
    • Mechanical
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Near Vision
    • Reaction Time

    New skills to build

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Mathematics
    • English Language
    • Design
    • Operations Monitoring
  • Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    Very similar work
    +11% pay236 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 11% more—$48,003 vs your $43,215 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Control Precision
    • Reaction Time
    • Near Vision
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Manual Dexterity

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand

    Similar work
    +12% pay31 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 12% more—$48,321 vs your $43,215 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Control Precision
    • Mechanical
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Near Vision
    • Finger Dexterity

    New skills to build

    • Customer and Personal Service
  • Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    Similar work
    +17% pay132 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 17% more—$50,412 vs your $43,215 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Control Precision
    • Reaction Time
    • Near Vision
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Manual Dexterity

    New skills to build

    • Administration and Management
    • Mathematics
    • Operation and Control
  • Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

    Similar work
    +25% pay195 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 25% more—$54,006 vs your $43,215 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Mechanical
    • Near Vision
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Control Precision
    • Selective Attention

    New skills to build

    • Customer and Personal Service
  • Sewing Machine Operators

    Somewhat similar work
    slightly less pay586 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$39,358 vs your $43,215 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Control Precision
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Near Vision
    • Finger Dexterity
    • Manual Dexterity

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

    Somewhat similar work
    +37% pay72 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 37% more—$59,412 vs your $43,215 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Control Precision
    • Reaction Time
    • Near Vision
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Manual Dexterity

    New skills to build

    • Administration and Management
    • English Language
    • Administrative
    • Public Safety and Security
    • Operation and Control
  • Machine Feeders and Offbearers

    Somewhat similar work
    +3% pay94 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 3% more—$44,400 vs your $43,215 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Control Precision
    • Reaction Time
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Mechanical
    • Near Vision

    New skills to build

    • Administrative