Wood processing plant operators monitor, operate, and control automated lumber mill equipment for sawing timber logs into rough lumber, cutting veneer, making plywood and particle board, and otherwise preparing wood for further use.
Skill level:
Semi-skilled
Check your Wage
- Salary range for the majority of workers in Wood processing plant operators - from $1,881 to $4,559 per month - 2024.
- A Wood processing plant operators typically earns between $1,881 and $3,418 gross per month at the start of the job.
- After 5 years of service, this is between $2,001 and $3,845 per month for a working week of 40 hours.
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Tasks and duties
- Examining logs and rough lumber to determine size, condition, quality and other characteristics to decide best lumber cuts to carry out, or operating automated equipment to convey logs through laser scanners which determine the most productive and profitable cutting patterns
- Operating and monitoring log in-feed and conveyor systems
- Operating and monitoring head saws, resaws and multiblade saws to saw logs, cants, flitches, slabs or wings and remove rough edges from sawn timber into dressed lumber of various sizes, and to saw or split shingles and shakes
- Operating and monitoring plywood core-laying machines and hot-plate plywood presses and machines which cut veneer
- Cleaning and lubricating sawmill equipment
