Cutters and trimmers, hand
SOC Code: 51-9031Also known as:
Aluminum Sheet Cutter, Basting Puller, Belt Splicer, Bright Cutter, Bucker
Median Annual Salary
$38,800
-18.1% growth (2024-2034)
600
Openings/Year
7K
Current Jobs
What Cutters and trimmers, hand Do
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.
💰 Salary
$38,800
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
-18.1%
Decline
🎓 Education
No formal educational credential
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
600
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Short-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
7,000
Projected Employment (2034)
5,700
Related Careers
Sewing machine operators
$36,000 •
-10.8% growth
Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood
$39,950 •
-0.6% growth
Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing
$40,440 •
-1.8% growth
Grinding and polishing workers, hand
$41,690 •
-21.2% growth
Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders
$45,700 •
-2.3% growth
Top Skills Required
Active Listening
Speaking
Time Management
Reading Comprehension
Monitoring
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Mark or discard items with defects such as spots, stains, scars, snags, chips, scratches, or unacceptable shapes or finishes.
- Trim excess material or cut threads off finished products, such as cutting loose ends of plastic off a manufactured toy for a smoother finish.
- 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.
- Position templates or measure materials to locate specified points of cuts or to obtain maximum yields, using rules, scales, or patterns.
- Read work orders to determine dimensions, cutting locations, and quantities to cut.
- Mark cutting lines around patterns or templates, or follow layout points, using squares, rules, and straightedges, and chalk, pencils, or scribes.
- Mark identification numbers, trademarks, grades, marketing data, sizes, or model numbers on products.
- Unroll, lay out, attach, or mount materials or items on cutting tables or machines.
- Separate materials or products according to size, weight, type, condition, color, or shade.
- Fold or shape materials before or after cutting them.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
No formal educational credential
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Less than High School
O*NET recommended level
College Rankings
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do cutters and trimmers, hand make?
The median annual salary for cutters and trimmers, hand is $38,800.
What education do cutters and trimmers, hand need?
Most cutters and trimmers, hand positions require a no formal educational credential.
Is becoming a cutters and trimmers, hand a good career choice?
Cutters and trimmers, hand is projected to see -18.1% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which reflects some decline in the field. With approximately 600 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for cutters and trimmers, hand?
The best colleges offer strong programs in related fields with experienced faculty and industry connections.
What other job titles are similar to cutters and trimmers, hand?
Cutters and trimmers, hand may also be known as: Aluminum Sheet Cutter, Basting Puller, Belt Splicer, Bright Cutter, Bucker, Buttoner, Buttonhole Maker, Buttonhole Marker, Candle Cutter, Cane Cutter, Carpet Cutter, Chalk Cutter, Clipper, Cloth Cutter, Cotton Dispatcher, Cripple Worker, Cut Off Worker, Denim Cutter, Diagrammer, Dinker.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.