Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$47,390
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.78
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+11% vs US median
US median $42,770
State Rank
#9 of 46
3,230 employed here

How much do Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood make in California?

Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood in California take home a median of $47,390 annually — roughly $22.78 an hour — which runs 11% above the national median of $42,770.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $37,330 while the top 10% make $59,160 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,660 and $55,020 a year.

Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,330$17.95
25th percentile (early career)$39,660$19.07
50th percentile (median)$47,390$22.78
75th percentile (experienced)$55,020$26.45
90th percentile (top earners)$59,160$28.44

How California compares

California ranks 9th out of 46 states and territories for Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Alaska$52,680
2Washington$51,940
3Minnesota$51,330
4Connecticut$51,150
5Oregon$49,740

Working as Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood in California

Nationally, about 41,000 people work as Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($47,390) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood make in California?
The median Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood salary in California is $47,390 per year, or about $22.78 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,330 at the entry level to $59,160 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood about 11% more than the national median of $42,770. California ranks 9th out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $47,390 a year. About 3,230 Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.