Perform precision smoothing, sharpening, polishing, or grinding of metal objects.
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
SOC: 51-4194 O*NET: 51-4194.00
Median Salary
$48,970
per year
Job Growth
📉 -7.8%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Perform precision smoothing, sharpening, polishing, or grinding of metal objects.
What does a Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$33,770
10th percentile
Early Career
$39,520
25th percentile
Median
$48,970
50th percentile
Experienced
$60,210
75th percentile
Top Earners
$74,120
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$33,770
25th
$39,520
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$48,970
Mean: $51,790
75th
$60,210
90th
$74,120
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $40,350 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $39,520 and $60,210
- •Salary spread is 42.3% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 5,730 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:5,800
Top Industries
Manufacturing76.8%
Wood Product Manufacturing26.5%
Sawmills and Wood Preservation22.9%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-7.8%
Annual Openings:500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)5,800
Current
2034 (Projected)5,400
-7.8%
-500
Employment Change
-7.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 34 locations
California
640 jobs$50,0600.95x
Washington
490 jobs$72,3903.74x
Oregon
410 jobs$59,8505.59x
Texas
400 jobs$38,1900.78x
Michigan
390 jobs$46,0202.41x
Pennsylvania
330 jobs$42,6801.48x
Ohio
260 jobs$56,4701.28x
Alabama
260 jobs$40,4403.40x
Wisconsin
180 jobs$48,0801.62x
North Carolina
170 jobs$44,2300.93x
New York
170 jobs$43,2600.48x
Arkansas
170 jobs$38,6503.54x
Georgia
160 jobs$57,7400.89x
Virginia
120 jobs$34,3100.77x
Connecticut
110 jobs$01.74x
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
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Operation and Control
92%
#3
Quality Control Analysis
86%
#4
Equipment Maintenance
78%
#5
Repairing
70%
#6
Critical Thinking
62%
#7
Troubleshooting
56%
#8
Monitoring
48%
#9
Equipment Selection
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.6
92%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate4.3
86%
Equipment Maintenance
intermediate3.9
78%
Repairing
intermediate3.5
70%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.1
62%
Troubleshooting
basic2.8
56%
Monitoring
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:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
intermediateImportance78%
skills
3.9/5.0
Repairing
intermediateImportance70%
abilities
3.5/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance62%
abilities
3.1/5.0
Troubleshooting
basicImportance56%
skills
2.8/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance48%
skills
2.4/5.0
Equipment Selection
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Helpers--Extraction Workers90%
5 shared skills
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians73%
5 shared skills
Boilermakers73%
5 shared skills
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists73%
5 shared skills
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers73%
5 shared skills
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment73%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Troubleshooting
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Quality Control Analysis
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Equipment Maintenance
- ★Repairing
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 Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
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
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
Microsoft Excel
📚 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
FREQUENT
💡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 (13)Operations & Execution (2)Planning & Development (1)Management & Supervision (1)Analysis & Evaluation (1)
1
Dress grinding wheels, according to specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Monitor machine operations to determine whether adjustments are necessary, stopping machines when problems occur.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Inspect, feel, and measure workpieces to ensure that surfaces and dimensions meet specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Set up and operate grinding or polishing machines to grind metal workpieces, such as dies, parts, and tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution91% perform94%
5
Remove finished workpieces from machines and place them in boxes or on racks, setting aside pieces that are defective.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
File or finish surfaces of workpieces, using prescribed hand tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Select and mount grinding wheels on machines, according to specifications, using hand tools and applying knowledge of abrasives and grinding procedures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Perform basic maintenance, such as cleaning and lubricating machine parts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution79% perform86%
9
Remove and replace worn or broken machine parts, using hand tools.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Compute numbers, widths, and angles of cutting tools, micrometers, scales, and gauges, and adjust tools to produce specified cuts.
🟡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 Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
💡 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?
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.66
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.12
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.10
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.87
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.86
Analytical Thinking
ImportantAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level3.82
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.7
Dependability
4.1
Independence
4.1
Cooperation
3.9
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.9
Analytical Thinking
3.8
Integrity
3.8
Persistence
3.8
Initiative
3.8
Innovation
3.5
💡 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 equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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