Wood Machinists
Description OES Code: 89308
Set up and operate a variety of woodworking machines to surface, cut, and shape lumber, and to fabricate parts for wood products, such as door and window frames, furniture, and sashes, according to specifications.

Wages, California
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $6.84
25th Percentile $7.42
50th Percentile $8.91
75th Percentile $12.02

Wages, San Joaquin County
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $7.03
25th Percentile $7.70
50th Percentile $9.79
75th Percentile $12.18

Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey

Employment Trends, California
Employment 1998 4,300
Projected Employment 2008 4,900
Percent Change 1998-2008 14.0%
Separations 1998-2008 500

Employment Trends, San Joaquin County
Employment 1999 140
Projected Employment 2006 160
Percent Change 1999-2006 14.3%
Separations 1999-2006 10

Employment Trends by California County

Working Conditions
Wood machinists must be able to lift and handle large pieces of wood, and have to tolerate noise and dust.

Getting the Job & Other Information
Wood machinists may find employment in the following industries: Sawmills and Planing Mills; Wood Buildings and Mobile Homes; Miscellaneous Wood Products; Household Furniture; Office Furniture; Partitions and Fixtures; Musical Instruments; Lumber and Construction Materials; Wholesale Trade- Misc. Nondurable Goods; Lumber and Other Building Materials.

For a list of current job listing, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Education and Training
Many wood machinists learn their trade on-the-job, starting by healping experienced workers. However, the industry is turning more and more to technology, so in the future, wood machinists with engineering or production management training will have an additional advantage in the pursuit of a promising career.

Skills & Other Requirements
Wood machinists may be required to have the following skills: Adhere To Safety Procedures; Adjust/Operate Production Equipment; Adjust/Operate Wood Sawing & Woodworking Equipment; Apply Adhesives; Apply Carpentry Techniques; Apply Coatings/Adhesives; Apply Drafting/Mechanical Drawing Knowledge & Techniques; Apply Fabrication Techniques; Apply Intermediate Technical Math (Algebra, Geometry, Number Sequences); Apply Machinist Practices; Apply Plywood/Veneer Product Knowledge; Apply Quality Assurance Techniques; Apply Technical Information To Manufacturing & Industrial Activities; Apply Woodworking Techniques; Assemble Wooden Components; Coordinate Production Materials & Processes; Cut & Shape Wood; Estimate Materials For Production & Manufacturing; Estimate Time Needed For Project; Fit Dowels; Hand Tap Metal, Wood Or Other Material; Inspect Components During Manufacture; Lay Out Woodworking Projects; Mix And Apply Protective Coatings To Products; Move And Lift Heavy Objects; Operate Buff/Polishing Machine; Operate Grinding Machines; Operate Hand And Power Woodworking Tools; Operate Lathes; Operate Precision Measuring Tools & Equipment In Industrial Production, Manufact; Operate Shape/Forming Machines Prepare Wood Surfaces/Apply Coatings; Read Blueprints/Technical Drawings; Read Production Layouts; Read Technical Drawings & Specifications; Read/Understand Operating Manuals; Recognize Wood Species & Characteristics; Select/Cut/Shape Material For Manufacturing With Wood; Set Up And Operate Wood Cutting, Shaping & Boring Machines; Sort Raw Materials/Products Used In Manufacturing; Understand Manufacturing Methods & Techniques; Use Computer Aided Drafting Software; Use Fire Suppression Methods In Industrial Emergencies; Use Hand Tools; Use Metric System In Skilled Woodworking.

References
Oregon Labor Market Information System Occupational Information System

Related Occupations: Cabinet Makers & Bench Carpenters,
Machinists

Training: California Training and Education Providers (CTEP)