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As of October 2025, the average salary for a saw operator is around $32,319 annually. This figure can vary based on factors like geographic location, years of experience, and the specific industry in which one is employed. For instance, saw operators in manufacturing may see different salaries compared to those in construction or woodworking.
Geographic location plays a crucial role in salary variation. States such as California and Texas typically offer higher wages due to demand and cost of living. Conversely, rural areas may present lower average salaries.
Industries such as construction and manufacturing tend to offer competitive salaries for saw operators. Those with specialized skills or certifications may command even higher wages. Exploring job postings and salary surveys can provide insights into current market trends and help job seekers identify opportunities that align with their compensation goals.
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The average saw operator salary in Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average saw operator salary states are Arizona, Virginia, and Texas.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | $37,200 | $17.88 |
| 2 | Rhode Island | $35,929 | $17.27 |
| 3 | Oregon | $39,104 | $18.80 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $35,772 | $17.20 |
| 5 | Indiana | $34,536 | $16.60 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $35,898 | $17.26 |
| 7 | Maine | $36,107 | $17.36 |
| 8 | Nevada | $36,406 | $17.50 |
| 9 | Wisconsin | $34,118 | $16.40 |
| 10 | Wyoming | $37,298 | $17.93 |
| 11 | Washington | $38,060 | $18.30 |
| 12 | Ohio | $32,791 | $15.76 |
| 13 | Idaho | $35,787 | $17.21 |
| 14 | Connecticut | $36,036 | $17.32 |
| 15 | West Virginia | $35,291 | $16.97 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $32,990 | $15.86 |
| 17 | District of Columbia | $35,761 | $17.19 |
| 18 | Vermont | $35,440 | $17.04 |
| 19 | Delaware | $35,931 | $17.27 |
| 20 | North Dakota | $33,488 | $16.10 |
| 21 | Hawaii | $33,407 | $16.06 |
| 22 | Michigan | $32,008 | $15.39 |
| 23 | Tennessee | $30,268 | $14.55 |
| 24 | Colorado | $34,981 | $16.82 |
| 25 | California | $34,877 | $16.77 |
| 26 | Utah | $31,345 | $15.07 |
| 27 | Illinois | $32,139 | $15.45 |
| 28 | Kansas | $31,801 | $15.29 |
| 29 | South Dakota | $31,374 | $15.08 |
| 30 | Alaska | $31,240 | $15.02 |
| 31 | Alabama | $31,356 | $15.07 |
| 32 | Nebraska | $31,130 | $14.97 |
| 33 | Kentucky | $30,368 | $14.60 |
| 34 | Maryland | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| 35 | North Carolina | $30,573 | $14.70 |
| 36 | Iowa | $30,052 | $14.45 |
| 37 | Louisiana | $32,511 | $15.63 |
| 38 | Oklahoma | $31,205 | $15.00 |
| 39 | South Carolina | $30,141 | $14.49 |
| 40 | New Jersey | $30,299 | $14.57 |
| 41 | Mississippi | $29,875 | $14.36 |
| 42 | Montana | $31,416 | $15.10 |
| 43 | Georgia | $28,763 | $13.83 |
| 44 | New York | $30,313 | $14.57 |
| 45 | Florida | $29,225 | $14.05 |
| 46 | Missouri | $27,197 | $13.08 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $26,831 | $12.90 |
| 48 | Arizona | $28,573 | $13.74 |
| 49 | Texas | $27,415 | $13.18 |
| 50 | Virginia | $28,430 | $13.67 |
| 51 | New Mexico | $27,195 | $13.07 |
The highest-paying cities for saw operators are Springfield, OR, Auburn, WA, and Rochester, MN.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Springfield, OR | $39,278 | $18.88 |
| 2 | Auburn, WA | $38,154 | $18.34 |
| 3 | Rochester, MN | $37,288 | $17.93 |
| 4 | Denver, CO | $34,965 | $16.81 |
| 5 | Bakersfield, CA | $34,922 | $16.79 |
| 6 | Indianapolis, IN | $34,464 | $16.57 |
| 7 | Beloit, WI | $34,109 | $16.40 |
| 8 | Erie, PA | $32,972 | $15.85 |
| 9 | Medina, OH | $32,926 | $15.83 |
| 10 | Carol Stream, IL | $32,130 | $15.45 |
| 11 | Livonia, MI | $32,005 | $15.39 |
| 12 | Tooele, UT | $31,365 | $15.08 |
| 13 | Tulsa, OK | $31,284 | $15.04 |
| 14 | Charlotte, NC | $30,516 | $14.67 |
| 15 | Jeffersontown, KY | $30,421 | $14.63 |
| 16 | Rochester, NY | $30,189 | $14.51 |
| 17 | Chattanooga, TN | $30,123 | $14.48 |
| 18 | Davenport, IA | $30,034 | $14.44 |
| 19 | Tampa, FL | $29,209 | $14.04 |
| 20 | Dalton, GA | $29,045 | $13.96 |
A saw operator's salary ranges from $26,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $38,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| Average | $32,319 | $2,693 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
The highest paying types of saw operators are mill operator, metal fabricator, and grinder operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | $32,452 | $2,704 | $15.60 | 120,073 |
| Metal Fabricator | $38,047 | $3,171 | $18.29 | 4,868 |
| Handle Machine Operator | $29,598 | $2,467 | $14.23 | 110,258 |
| Production Operator | $35,185 | $2,932 | $16.92 | 117,254 |
| Forklift Operator | $34,213 | $2,851 | $16.45 | 213,020 |
| Press Brake Operator | $36,359 | $3,030 | $17.48 | 57,264 |
Top companies hiring saw operators now:
Saw operator salaries at Micro Metals Inc. and Arconic are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average saw operator salary at companies like Valmont Industries and American Woodmark are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Micro Metals Inc. | $41,688 | $20.04 |
| 2 | Arconic | $40,967 | $19.70 |
| 3 | Valmont Industries | $40,699 | $19.57 |
| 4 | American Woodmark | $40,146 | $19.30 |
| 5 | Clyde Companies | $40,068 | $19.26 |
| 6 | Columbus McKinnon | $39,863 | $19.16 |
| 7 | Precision Castparts | $39,803 | $19.14 |
| 8 | Manatt's | $39,055 | $18.78 |
| 9 | Oldcastle Infrastructure | $38,408 | $18.47 |
| 10 | Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co | $38,384 | $18.45 |
| 11 | Farwest Steel | $38,236 | $18.38 |
| 12 | UFP Industries | $37,899 | $18.22 |
| 13 | Chicago Tube & Iron | $37,857 | $18.20 |
| 14 | Alro Steel | $37,673 | $18.11 |
| 15 | Masonite | $37,613 | $18.08 |
| 16 | MMC | $37,589 | $18.07 |
| 17 | NOVAworks | $37,359 | $17.96 |
| 18 | Atkore International | $37,314 | $17.94 |
| 19 | Rosboro | $36,975 | $17.78 |
| 20 | Construction Forms Inc | $36,823 | $17.70 |
The average saw operator salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction | $36,227 | $17.42 |
| 2 | Technology | $35,917 | $17.27 |
| 3 | Manufacturing | $34,527 | $16.60 |
| 4 | Health Care | $31,071 | $14.94 |
The average saw operator salary has risen by $5,469 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average saw operator earned $26,850 annually, but today, they earn $32,319 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for saw operators over the last decade.
Compare saw operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare saw operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $32,300 | $15.54 | +3.6% |
| 2024 | $31,100 | $14.97 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | $30,200 | $14.52 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $29,800 | $14.32 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | $29,100 | $13.97 | +2.0% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPX Flow | Saw Operator (65859) | Delavan, WI | 06/28/2025 | $40,175 |
| Chase Brass | Saw Operator | East Longmeadow, MA | 06/28/2025 | $41,740 |
| 48Forty Solutions | Saw Operator | Tooele, UT | 06/28/2025 | $35,479 |
| 48Forty Solutions | Saw Operator | Biglerville, PA | 06/28/2025 | $35,479 |
| Stand-By Personnel | Metal Saw Operator | Tulsa, OK | 06/28/2025 | $35,479 |
| G D Roberts & Co | Saw/Blast Operator | Columbus, WI | 06/28/2025 | $41,740 |
| Aerotek | Core Saw Operator | Marysville, WA | 06/27/2025 | $41,740 |
| Aerotek | Saw Operator | De Pere, WI | 06/27/2025 | $40,000 |
| Link Staffing | Saw Operator | Houston, TX | 06/27/2025 | $27,131 |
| Expert Staffing | Wood Saw Operator | Putnam, CT | 06/27/2025 | $38,359 |
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