Woodworking Machine Operator Salary in the United States

How much does a Woodworking Machine Operator make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Woodworking Machine Operator in the United States is $34,242 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $16.

However, a Woodworking Machine Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $41,639
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $31,515 to $38,114
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $29,032
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered HR
AI Onboarding
View as table View as graph 25% $31,515 10% $29,032 90% $41,639 75% $38,114 $34,242 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Woodworking Machine Operator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $38,114 $3,176 $733 $18
Average $34,242 $2,853 $658 $16
25th Percentile $31,515 $2,626 $606 $15
Check out Woodworking Machine Operator Job Openings in the United States
Machine Operator

Komline Sanderson - Columbus, OH

Machine Operator

Luxor Staffing - Columbus, OH

Machine Operator

Acloche-Gahanna - Columbus, OH

Machine Operator

LSI Industries Inc. - Columbus, OH

Search More Woodworking Machine Operator Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Woodworking Machine Operator Salaries

A Woodworking Machine Operator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Woodworking Machine Operator Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Woodworking Machine Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $37,913.
  • California: $37,769.
  • Massachusetts: $37,265.

Top Paying Cities for Woodworking Machine Operators

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $43,189
  • San Francisco: $42,716
  • Oakland: $41,816

What Skills Can Increase a Woodworking Machine Operator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Attention to Detail (Mentioned in 16.67% Job Postings): Executing and completing a task with a high level of accuracy.
  • Inventory Control (Mentioned in 33.33% Job Postings): Inventory control or stock control can be broadly defined as "the activity of checking a shop’s stock." However, a more focused definition takes into account the more science-based, methodical practice of not only verifying a business' inventory but also focusing on the many related facets of inventory management (such as forecasting future demand) "within an organisation to meet the demand placed upon that business economically." Other facets of inventory control include supply chain management, production control, financial flexibility, and customer satisfaction. At the root of inventory control, however, is the inventory control problem, which involves determining when to order, how much to order, and the logistics (where) of those decisions. An extension of inventory control is the inventory control system. This may come in the form of a technological system and its programmed software used for managing various aspects of inventory problems , or it may refer to a methodology (which may include the use of technological barriers) for handling loss prevention in a business.
  • SOP (Mentioned in 33.33% Job Postings): SOP is A standard operating procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Attention to Detail 16.67%
Inventory Control 33.33%
SOP 33.33%

Woodworking Machine Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Woodworking Machine Operator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Most common benefits for Woodworking Machine Operator

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
For Employers

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Find Your Next Woodworking Machine Operator Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Woodworking Machine Operator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • McNichols

    Columbus, OH

    McNichols | Columbus, OH

    Machine Operator/Fabricator. With distribution centers nationwide, McNICHOLS is the leading and trusted supplier of metal products including perforated, gr... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Onin Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    Onin Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Machine Operator. Columbus, OH. Overview. Location: Columbus, Ohio. Job Type: Temp-to-Hire | Full-Time. About the Opportunity: Onin Staffing currently recr... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Trillium Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    Trillium Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Machine Operator. Great opportunity for an experienced Machinist in the precision metal industry to join an established and growing manufacturer in Columbu... more

    11 Days Ago

  • Altium Packaging

    Columbus, OH

    Altium Packaging | Columbus, OH

    Machine Operator. Location: 1917 Joyce Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43219. Work Shift: 12hr - D Shift 7p-7:30a Columbus (United States of America). The Machine O... more

    11 Days Ago

  • Camaco

    Columbus, OH

    Camaco | Columbus, OH

    Transfer Press Operator. Set-Up and Operate Transfer Press and set dies in various machines as needed to produce quality parts and achieve production requi... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Aerotek

    Columbus, OH

    Aerotek | Columbus, OH

    Machine Operator. Join a dynamic manufacturing team specializing in wire mesh for various product lines, including fencing and decking. We are seeking dedi... more

    9 Days Ago

For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst