51
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners is a notable career in the 51 category. This page provides verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0 (2024), helping you compare Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners against similar careers and make data-driven decisions.
Education Administrators, All Other
11
Personal Service Managers, All Other
11
Managers, All Other
11
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
13
Business Operations Specialists, All Other
13
| soc | 51-4194 |
| title | Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners |
| onet code | 51-4194.00 |
| description | Perform precision smoothing, sharpening, polishing, or grinding of metal objects. |
| job zone | 2 |
| major group | 51 |
| tot emp | 5,730 |
| a mean | 51,790 |
| a median | 48,970 |
| a pct10 | 33,770 |
| a pct25 | 39,520 |
| a pct75 | 60,210 |
| a pct90 | 74,120 |
| h mean | 24 |
| h median | 23 |
The day-to-day work of a tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners typically centers on monitor machine operations to determine whether adjustments are necessary, stopping machines when problems occur. Every task listed below is classified as Core in O*NET — they collectively define the role. Task descriptions below are quoted from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET 29.0 occupation profile.
Workers in this occupation rely most on Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, and Quality Control Analysis. Across the top 9 skills, the average O*NET importance score is 3.35 out of 5 — moderately weighted for this role. Importance reflects how essential each skill is for adequate job performance.
Among working tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners, the most common entry qualification is a High School Diploma (45.0%). Bachelor's-degree-or-higher credentials are reported by 0% of incumbents. Most workers enter without a four-year degree, making this a relatively accessible career path.
Median annual pay is highest in Washington at $72,390 and lowest in Virginia at $34,310 — a 2.1× spread. The top five states (Washington, Idaho, New Jersey, Oregon, Nebraska) average $64,098. Figures reflect BLS OEWS May 2024 state-level wage estimates; percentiles shown are for full-time wage-earners in each state.
| State | Median | Mean | 10th % | 90th % | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $72,390 | $73,960 | $49,420 | $106,980 | 490 |
| Idaho | $65,500 | $63,200 | $47,280 | $76,320 | 60 |
| New Jersey | $64,510 | $60,590 | $49,140 | $67,550 | — |
| Oregon | $59,850 | $62,670 | $45,540 | $78,590 | 410 |
| Nebraska | $58,240 | $53,210 | $41,810 | $61,620 | 50 |
| Georgia | $57,740 | $53,610 | $30,640 | $71,320 | 160 |
| Ohio | $56,470 | $57,520 | $40,370 | $76,120 | 260 |
| Massachusetts | $54,760 | $52,740 | $46,770 | $54,970 | — |
| Kentucky | $53,780 | $56,930 | $37,660 | $77,580 | 40 |
| Kansas | $52,390 | $50,770 | $41,270 | $56,490 | — |
| Minnesota | $51,700 | $60,010 | $46,020 | $75,990 | 60 |
| Louisiana | $50,900 | $52,360 | $43,010 | $64,230 | 60 |
| California | $50,060 | $52,240 | $36,400 | $75,360 | 640 |
| South Carolina | $50,030 | $51,820 | $39,880 | $72,060 | 110 |
| Missouri | $49,700 | $56,850 | $40,810 | $88,750 | 60 |
| Maine | $48,840 | $49,140 | $34,320 | $62,500 | 70 |
| Mississippi | $48,320 | $46,850 | $29,910 | $58,840 | 50 |
| Wisconsin | $48,080 | $46,010 | $39,580 | $51,190 | 180 |
| Colorado | $47,170 | $56,040 | $36,810 | $91,320 | — |
| Michigan | $46,020 | $48,290 | $33,400 | $65,300 | 390 |
| Indiana | $45,830 | $47,520 | $41,140 | $62,900 | 70 |
| North Carolina | $44,230 | $46,280 | $29,510 | $68,390 | 170 |
| Iowa | $43,400 | $46,020 | $39,460 | $52,300 | 50 |
| New York | $43,260 | $45,160 | $33,870 | $56,160 | 170 |
| Pennsylvania | $42,680 | $43,330 | $28,760 | $60,490 | 330 |
| New Hampshire | $42,000 | $46,480 | $34,980 | $60,120 | 60 |
| Alabama | $40,440 | $44,080 | $26,240 | $71,970 | 260 |
| Oklahoma | $40,110 | $41,790 | $28,200 | $59,600 | 60 |
| Florida | $38,870 | $40,250 | $32,010 | $46,150 | 80 |
| Arkansas | $38,650 | $46,450 | $34,110 | $79,040 | 170 |
| Texas | $38,190 | $41,060 | $31,710 | $50,180 | 400 |
| Tennessee | $35,600 | $42,910 | $33,020 | $72,350 | 70 |
| Virginia | $34,310 | $38,340 | $28,900 | $57,200 | 120 |
Recruiters and job boards use several alternate titles for tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners. Knowing these variants widens your job search — listings for Card Grinder or Computer Numerical Control Grinding Technician (CNC Grinding Technician) frequently describe the same role. The list below is a sample of the most common industry variants.
This data helps you understand how Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners compares to others in the 51 category. Use it to make informed decisions based on verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0.
careers with the closest data values to Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
The CertifyWize editorial team aggregates and verifies careers data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0. Every statistic on this site is cross-referenced against the official source before publication, with quarterly re-verification cycles.
Read our full methodology or contact us with corrections.