Woodworking Machine Operator Salary in 2026
How Much Do Woodworking Machine Operators Make?
Woodworking Machine Operators earn a median annual salary of $40,440 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $30,920 at the 10th percentile to $54,340 at the 90th percentile — a range of $23,420. The highest-paying state is Washington at $50,170.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $30,920 |
| 25th percentile | $36,260 |
| Median (50th) | $40,440 |
| 75th percentile | $47,650 |
| 90th percentile | $54,340 |
Woodworking Machine Operator Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washingtontop | $50,170 |
| Oregon | $49,430 |
| Minnesota | $48,920 |
| Montana | $47,940 |
| Iowa | $47,890 |
| Nebraska | $47,590 |
| Rhode Island | $47,570 |
| Michigan | $46,180 |
| Louisiana | $46,040 |
| New Hampshire | $45,960 |
| Nevada | $45,820 |
| Idaho | $45,730 |
| Maryland | $45,530 |
| California | $45,020 |
| Connecticut | $44,970 |
| Vermont | $44,900 |
| Illinois | $44,620 |
| Colorado | $44,580 |
| Ohio | $44,510 |
| Massachusetts | $43,880 |
| North Dakota | $43,580 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,020 |
| Wisconsin | $41,400 |
| West Virginia | $41,290 |
| South Dakota | $41,070 |
| New York | $40,450 |
| New Jersey | $40,190 |
| South Carolina | $40,190 |
| Arizona | $39,870 |
| Indiana | $39,860 |
| Maine | $39,350 |
| Wyoming | $38,640 |
| Missouri | $37,890 |
| Utah | $37,880 |
| Kansas | $37,630 |
| New Mexico | $37,440 |
| North Carolina | $37,350 |
| Mississippi | $37,100 |
| Georgia | $37,070 |
| Kentucky | $37,050 |
| Virginia | $37,030 |
| Florida | $36,810 |
| Alabama | $36,600 |
| Arkansas | $36,520 |
| Oklahoma | $36,270 |
| Texas | $34,630 |
| Tennessee | $34,340 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Woodworking Machine Operators
Woodworking Machine Operator Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$30,920 – $36,260 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$40,440 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$47,650 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $54,340+ |
How to Earn More as a Woodworking Machine Operator
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Woodworking Machine Operators in Western Washington nonmetropolitan area earn $52,290 — $11,850 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($47,650) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Woodworking Machine Operator Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Woodworking Machine Operatorthis career | $40,440 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | $63,760 |
| Forging Machine Operator | $49,240 |
| Rolling Machine Operator | $48,630 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Operator | $45,590 |
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SOC: 51-7042.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.