Use hand tools or hand-held power tools to cut and trim a variety of manufactured items, such as carpet, fabric, stone, glass, or rubber.
Cutters and Trimmers, Hand
SOC: 51-9031 O*NET: 51-9031.00
Median Salary
$38,800
per year
Job Growth
📉 -18.1%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Job Zone 1
Use hand tools or hand-held power tools to cut and trim a variety of manufactured items, such as carpet, fabric, stone, glass, or rubber.
What does a Cutters and Trimmers, Hand do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$29,910
10th percentile
Early Career
$33,860
25th percentile
Median
$38,800
50th percentile
Experienced
$48,790
75th percentile
Top Earners
$57,820
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$29,910
25th
$33,860
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$38,800
Mean: $41,960
75th
$48,790
90th
$57,820
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $27,910 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $33,860 and $48,790
- •Salary spread is 38.5% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 7,070 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:7,000
Top Industries
Manufacturing68.9%
Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (3371 and 3372 only)15.3%
Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing15.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-18.1%
Annual Openings:600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)7,000
Current
2034 (Projected)5,700
-18.1%
-1,300
Employment Change
-18.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Cutters and Trimmers, Hand professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 33 locations
North Carolina
960 jobs$45,9104.25x
California
950 jobs$36,4701.14x
Indiana
520 jobs$40,5303.58x
Alabama
430 jobs$32,1404.47x
New Jersey
290 jobs$41,6001.48x
Pennsylvania
220 jobs$35,5100.80x
Ohio
220 jobs$34,3700.85x
Georgia
220 jobs$30,1000.98x
Florida
200 jobs$36,4300.44x
Tennessee
200 jobs$30,4001.32x
Texas
180 jobs$30,5100.28x
Missouri
140 jobs$41,1901.05x
Massachusetts
120 jobs$41,4100.73x
Connecticut
110 jobs$41,4101.45x
Michigan
100 jobs$39,1100.49x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Production and Processing
100%
#2
Manual Dexterity
100%
#3
Near Vision
92%
#4
Arm-Hand Steadiness
82%
#5
Information Ordering
74%
#6
Oral Comprehension
66%
#7
Control Precision
58%
#8
Static Strength
48%
#9
Category Flexibility
40%
Skills Overview
Production and Processing
advanced5.0
100%
Manual Dexterity
advanced5.0
100%
Near Vision
advanced4.6
92%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
intermediate4.1
82%
Information Ordering
intermediate3.7
74%
Oral Comprehension
intermediate3.3
66%
Control Precision
basic2.9
58%
Static Strength
basic2.4
48%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Production and Processing
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Manual Dexterity
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Near Vision
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Arm-Hand Steadiness
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Information Ordering
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Oral Comprehension
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Control Precision
basicImportance58%
abilities
2.9/5.0
Static Strength
basicImportance48%
abilities
2.4/5.0
Category Flexibility
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Production and Processing
Learn on the Job:
- →Oral Comprehension
- →Control Precision
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Production and Processing
- ✓Manual Dexterity
- ✓Near Vision
- ✓Arm-Hand Steadiness
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Production and Processing
- ★Manual Dexterity
- ★Near Vision
- ★Arm-Hand Steadiness
- ★Information Ordering
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Cutters and Trimmers, Hand
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
18
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (18)
1
Mark or discard items with defects such as spots, stains, scars, snags, chips, scratches, or unacceptable shapes or finishes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Trim excess material or cut threads off finished products, such as cutting loose ends of plastic off a manufactured toy for a smoother finish.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Cut, shape, and trim materials, such as textiles, food, glass, stone, and metal, using knives, scissors, and other hand tools, portable power tools, or bench-mounted tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Separate materials or products according to size, weight, type, condition, color, or shade.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Mark identification numbers, trademarks, grades, marketing data, sizes, or model numbers on products.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Read work orders to determine dimensions, cutting locations, and quantities to cut.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Count or weigh and bundle items.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Mark cutting lines around patterns or templates, or follow layout points, using squares, rules, and straightedges, and chalk, pencils, or scribes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Unroll, lay out, attach, or mount materials or items on cutting tables or machines.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Stack cut items and load them on racks or conveyors or onto trucks.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •39% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Cutters and Trimmers, Hand
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Cutters and Trimmers, Hand professionals typically have a RCA Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
AArtistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Cutters and Trimmers, Hand
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.31
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.09
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.67
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.67
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.3
Dependability
4.1
Cooperation
3.7
Integrity
3.7
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 1
Little or No Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or less
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.
Training:
Short demonstration or on-the-job training
💼 Experience Requirement
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • On-the-job training is typical
- • Tasks can be learned within a few days or weeks
- • Basic skills development
1
Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.
On-the-job training is typicalTasks can be learned within a few days or weeksBasic skills development
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Cutters and Trimmers, Hand.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Cutters and Trimmers, Hand
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
2.3k program completions/year
Texas State Technical College
Waco, TX
1.2k program completions/year
Tulsa Welding School-Houston
Houston, TX
1.2k program completions/year
Tulsa Welding School-Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
984 program completions/year
South Florida Institute of Technology
Miami, FL
891 program completions/year
SOWELA Technical Community College
Lake Charles, LA
870 program completions/year
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, KY
821 program completions/year
Refrigeration School Inc
Phoenix, AZ
781 program completions/year
Stark State College
North Canton, OH
731 program completions/year
River Parishes Community College
Gonzales, LA
695 program completions/year
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC
679 program completions/year
Lee College
Baytown, TX
601 program completions/year