Tool and Die Makers vs Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
Side-by-side · O*NET · BLS · AI-exposure research · Anthropic Economic Index
A factual, source-backed comparison of Tool and Die Makers and Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing on the dimensions both occupations carry. Every figure is a position within an independent published dataset — not a verdict on which job is better, safer, or more “future-proof.”
At a glance
| Dimension | Tool and Die Makers | Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $63,180 | $40,440 |
| Employment | 55,130 | 63,350 |
| Employment outlook (2024–34) · BLS projection | Declining (-10.8%) | Declining (-1.8%) |
| Annual openings · BLS projection | 4,700 | 6,400 |
| Typical education · O*NET | Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. | Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. |
| AI exposure · published exposure studies | Low · 25th pct | Moderate · 42nd pct |
| Global GenAI gradient · ILO ISCO-08 · via crosswalk | 34th pct · 20% of tasks | 38th pct · 22% of tasks |
| Observed AI use · Anthropic Economic Index | — | — |
| Mostly remote-capable · Dingel–Neiman | No | No |
Pay and employment are BLS OEWS estimates; outlook and openings are BLS 2024–2034 projections; AI exposure and observed-use figures come from separate research and reflect exposure and usage, not predictions that either job will disappear. Compare like with like.
Skills
Shared: Mechanical, Visualization, Near Vision, Problem Sensitivity, Mathematics, Production and Processing, Manual Dexterity, Finger Dexterity, Control Precision, Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Quality Control Analysis, Information Ordering, Category Flexibility, Selective Attention, Arm-Hand Steadiness, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Equipment Selection, Judgment and Decision Making, Oral Comprehension, Oral Expression, Deductive Reasoning, Multilimb Coordination, Active Listening, Equipment Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Speech Recognition, Speaking.
Specific to Tool and Die Makers
- Design
- Time Management
- English Language
- Active Learning
- Complex Problem Solving
- Written Comprehension
- Inductive Reasoning
- Mathematical Reasoning
Specific to Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
- Reaction Time
- Static Strength
- Trunk Strength
- Perceptual Speed
- Far Vision
- Auditory Attention
- Flexibility of Closure
- Rate Control
Knowledge, skills & abilities O*NET rates as important for each occupation. “Shared” are common to both; the columns list what is distinctive to each (top by the order O*NET surfaces).
Tools & technology
Shared: Computer aided design CAD software , Spreadsheet software , Office suite software , Electronic mail software , Presentation software , Word processing software , Computer aided manufacturing CAM software , Inventory management software .
Specific to Tool and Die Makers
Specific to Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
Full profiles
This page is a summary. See the complete source-backed profile for Tool and Die Makers or Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing — tasks, the full skill graph, tools, work context, preparation, wages by percentile, industries, AI exposure and the AI work map.
More comparisons
Related occupations you can place side by side on the same sourced scale.
- Tool and Die Makers vs Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
- Tool and Die Makers vs Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
- Tool and Die Makers vs Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
- Tool and Die Makers vs Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Tool and Die Makers vs Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Tool and Die Makers vs Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Tool and Die Makers vs Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Tool and Die Makers vs Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
Sources for this page
Every figure above traces to a named public dataset and the exact release below — not hand-written opinion. See the full methodology for what each measure does and does not mean.
- O*NET 30.3 U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai Microsoft Research
- “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130 OpenAI / academic
- AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans academic
- ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025 International Labour Organization
- IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022 Institute for Structural Research (IBS)
- Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation academic
- Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome academic
Data compiled June 2, 2026. Figures are estimates, not advice.
Cite this page
Singulariki. "Tool and Die Makers vs Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing." Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Built from O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130; AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans; ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025; IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022; Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation; Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome. Accessed June 7, 2026. https://singulariki.com/compare/tool-and-die-makers-vs-woodworking-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-except-sawing
Singulariki. (2026). Tool and Die Makers vs Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing. Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://singulariki.com/compare/tool-and-die-makers-vs-woodworking-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-except-sawing
@misc{singulariki-tool-and-die-makers-vs-woodworking-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-except-sawing,
title = {Tool and Die Makers vs Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing},
author = {{Singulariki}},
year = {2026},
note = {O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130; AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans; ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025; IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022; Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation; Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome. Accessed June 7, 2026},
url = {https://singulariki.com/compare/tool-and-die-makers-vs-woodworking-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-except-sawing}
} Citations name the underlying public dataset releases — they reflect what this page is built from, not just the URL.