SOC 51-7042 · Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing Salary in Grand Rapids, MI

The average salary for woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing) in Grand Rapids, Michigan is $47,300 a year ($22.74 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $47,720: half of the 2,780 people in this job in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 9% more than the U.S. average for this job ($43,570).

$47,300average per year

$22.74 / hourMedian $47,720Take-home ≈ $37,799

  • $39K10th
  • $47K25th
  • $48KMedian
  • $49K75th
  • $50K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

2,780people in this job
+9%vs U.S. average
#1 of 6Michigan metros
96cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing pay range in Grand Rapids

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $39,390 a year or less, while the top 10% make $49,950 or more. The middle half of woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing) in Grand Rapids earn between $46,980 and $49,190.

  • $39K10th
  • $47K25th
  • $48KMedian
  • $49K75th
  • $50K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$47,300$3,942$22.74
Median$47,720$3,977$22.94
Entry level (25th percentile)$46,980$3,915$22.59
Experienced (75th percentile)$49,190$4,099$23.65

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing pay in Grand Rapids vs. Michigan and the U.S.

Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing) in Grand Rapids earn about the same as the Michigan average ($46,480) and 9% more than the U.S. average ($43,570). At the median the gap is +10% against the U.S. median of $43,380.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Grand Rapids$47,300$47,720$39,390$49,9502,780
Michigan$46,480$47,680$38,130$54,5005,250
United States$43,570$43,380$32,110$56,83061,420

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing salary after taxes in Grand Rapids

On the average salary of $47,300, a single filer in Grand Rapids takes home about $37,799 a year, or $3,150 a month and $1,454 every two weeks. Taxes take 20% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Grand Rapids's local income tax (1.5%).

Michigan paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Grand Rapids a good place for woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing)? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Grand Rapids area are 4% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 95.5), so the average $47,300 buys what about $49,505 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.0 times the median wage of all jobs in Grand Rapids ($47,570). A typical home costs $359,923, or 7.6 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $47,300 is worth in another city

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing salary in other Michigan cities

Grand Rapids ranks 1st of 6 Michigan metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.

All Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing salaries in Michigan

Highest-paying cities for woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing)

Longview, WA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($57,100).

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing salary by city

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Reviewed before it counts. Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing in Grand Rapids, MI.

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing salary in Grand Rapids: questions

How much do woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing) make an hour in Grand Rapids?

$22.74 an hour on average, and $22.94 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing) salary in Grand Rapids?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $39,390 a year and the 25th percentile is $46,980, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing) take-home pay in Grand Rapids?

About $37,799 a year ($3,150 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $47,300. Includes Grand Rapids's local income tax (1.5%).

Do woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing) earn more in Grand Rapids than elsewhere?

The average here is 9% more than the U.S. average for this job ($43,570).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 51-7042; area Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI (24340). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.3%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Grand Rapids's local income tax (1.5%).
  • Job concentration: location quotient 11.77, this job is 11.8 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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