Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners
SOC Code: 51-4194Also known as:
Card Grinder, Computer Numerical Control Grinding Technician (CNC Grinding Technician), Crankshaft Grinder, Cutter Grind Tool Technician, Cutter Grinder
Median Annual Salary
$48,970
-7.8% growth (2024-2034)
500
Openings/Year
6K
Current Jobs
What Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners Do
Perform precision smoothing, sharpening, polishing, or grinding of metal objects.
💰 Salary
$48,970
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
-7.8%
Decline
🎓 Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
500
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
5,800
Projected Employment (2034)
5,400
Related Careers
Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
$48,620 •
-13.6% growth
Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
$48,310 •
-14.4% growth
Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing
$40,440 •
-1.8% growth
Grinding and polishing workers, hand
$41,690 •
-21.2% growth
Top Skills Required
Operations Monitoring
Operation and Control
Quality Control Analysis
Equipment Maintenance
Repairing
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Monitor machine operations to determine whether adjustments are necessary, stopping machines when problems occur.
- Inspect, feel, and measure workpieces to ensure that surfaces and dimensions meet specifications.
- Study blueprints or layouts of metal workpieces to determine grinding procedures, and to plan machine setups and operational sequences.
- Select and mount grinding wheels on machines, according to specifications, using hand tools and applying knowledge of abrasives and grinding procedures.
- Compute numbers, widths, and angles of cutting tools, micrometers, scales, and gauges, and adjust tools to produce specified cuts.
- Turn valves to direct flow of coolant against cutting wheels and workpieces during grinding.
- Set up and operate grinding or polishing machines to grind metal workpieces, such as dies, parts, and tools.
- Dress grinding wheels, according to specifications.
- File or finish surfaces of workpieces, using prescribed hand tools.
- Perform basic maintenance, such as cleaning and lubricating machine parts.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
High School Diploma
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners:
Machine Shop Technology/Assistant
1,634 degrees awarded •
97 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners.
Want this ranking as a spreadsheet? Investor Pro+ members can export any Repit table to CSV. See plans →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners make?
The median annual salary for tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners is $48,970.
What education do tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners need?
Most tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Common degree programs include Machine Shop Technology/Assistant.
Is becoming tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners a good career choice?
Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners is projected to see -7.8% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which reflects some decline in the field. With approximately 500 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners?
Top colleges for aspiring tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners include
Immokalee Technical College, Manatee Technical College, Moore Norman Technology Center, Tulsa Technology Center, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners?
Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners may also be known as: Card Grinder, Computer Numerical Control Grinding Technician (CNC Grinding Technician), Crankshaft Grinder, Cutter Grind Tool Technician, Cutter Grinder, Cutting Tool Sharpener, Cylinder Grinder, Deburrer, Die Barber, Die Fitter, Die Grinder, Die Polisher, Die Reamer, Die Sharpener, Die Trimmer, External Tool Grinder Operator, Filer, Finish Filer, Finisher, Grinder.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.