51 Series · SOC 51-4194

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners Salary

National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).

$50,060
Median / year
$77,170
Top 10% earn
-7.8%
Growth '23–'33
5,600
US workers

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners earn a median of $50,060 per year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $50,060, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $35,350 (10th percentile) to $77,170 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 5,600 US workers. Washington pays the most ($75,190), since pay varies by state and metro area.

51 Series · Source: BLS OEWS Compare with another job →
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The pay verdict

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners earn a median of $50,060, putting them below the typical US occupation and higher than 33% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Production, it ranks #36 of 105 by median pay. Employment is projected to fall 7.8% by 2033.

$50,060
Median annual wage
Top 67%
of 825 US occupations with published wages
#36 of 105
in Production
2.2×
90th-to-10th pay spread

Highest-paying state: Washington at $75,190. Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners (SOC 51-4194) pays a national median of $50,060 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $35,350 at the 10th percentile to $77,170 at the 90th, with a mean of $53,240 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 5,600 Americans work in this occupation across 35 reporting states and 35 metro areas.

BLS Employment Projections forecast a -7.8% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as declining relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 500 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is High school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training of on-the-job training. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of B for this role, with a fatality rate of 3.5 per 100,000 and injury rate of 3.2 per 100.

Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. Washington pays the highest state median at $75,190, which is +50% above the national figure. The top metro is Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA at $102,390 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.

BLS OEWS May 2025 5,600 jobs Median $50,060/yr

Median Salary

$50,060

per year

Median Hourly

$24.07/hr

per hour

Mean Salary

$53,240

average

Employment

5,600

jobs nationwide

How does this pay compare nationally?

Where Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners pay sits nationally

Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median

$50,060 Bottom 33% higher than 33% of 825 US occupations

$0–$20,000: 0 US occupations (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$40,000: 98 US occupations (12%). Below this entry. $40,000–$60,000: 298 US occupations (36%). This entry sits in this band. $60,000–$80,000: 209 US occupations (25%). Above this entry. $80,000–$100,000: 82 US occupations (10%). Above this entry. $100,000–$120,000: 58 US occupations (7%). Above this entry. $120,000–$140,000: 32 US occupations (4%). Above this entry. $140,000–$160,000: 14 US occupations (2%). Above this entry. $160,000–$180,000: 9 US occupations (1%). Above this entry. $180,000–$200,000: 25 US occupations (3%). Above this entry. This job $0 $200,000 every BLS occupation, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025

Does this job pay well and grow?

Each dot is a 51-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).

Among 23 51-series occupations with growth data, Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners sits on the slower-growing side at -7.8% growth and $50,060 median pay.

Among 23 51-series occupations with growth data, Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners sits on the slower-growing side at -7.8% growth and $50,060 median pay. Scatter plot of 23 data points. $30000$40000$50000$60000$70000$80000 -15%-10%-5%0%5%10% Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) Median annual wage
Among 23 51-series occupations with growth data, Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners sits on the slower-growing side at -7.8% growth and $50,060 median pay.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Projected Growth

-7.8%

Declining

Annual Openings

500

per year (projected)

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

On-the-Job Training

Moderate-term on-the-job training

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034

Workplace Safety

All safety ratings →
B

Safe

Safety Grade (BLS 2023)

Fatality Rate

3.5/100K

Injury Rate

3.2/100

Danger Index

14.6/100

Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023

Career Intelligence

Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.

Top Skills

Operations Monitoring 3.9
Operation and Control 3.8
Quality Control Analysis 3.5
Equipment Maintenance 3.4
Repairing 3.4
Critical Thinking 3.3
Monitoring 3.0
Equipment Selection 3.0
Troubleshooting 3.0
Reading Comprehension 2.9

Knowledge Areas

Mechanical 3.6
Mathematics 3.5
English Language 3.1
Production and Processing 2.9
Education and Training 2.7
Customer and Personal Service 2.7
Administration and Management 2.5
Engineering and Technology 2.5
Design 2.4
Computers and Electronics 2.2

Key Tasks

  • ▸ 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.

Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.

Salary Range

Annual Salary Distribution

$35,350$40,800$50,060$62,150$77,170
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

Hourly Rate Distribution

$16.99$19.61$24.07$29.88$37.10
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

10th Percentile

$35,350

25th Percentile

$40,800

Median

$50,060

75th Percentile

$62,150

90th Percentile

$77,170

Salary by State

Highest Paying States

1. Washington $75,190 2. Oregon $60,760 3. Idaho $59,250 4. Ohio $56,690 5. Massachusetts $56,600

Lowest Paying States

31. Colorado $33,970 32. Florida $36,880 33. Tennessee $36,920 34. Virginia $38,370 35. Arkansas $38,410
View all 35 states →
# State Median Salary vs National
1 Washington $75,190 +50% above national
2 Oregon $60,760 +21% above national
3 Idaho $59,250 +18% above national
4 Ohio $56,690 +13% above national
5 Massachusetts $56,600 +13% above national
6 Louisiana $56,380 +13% above national
7 Mississippi $55,510 +11% above national
8 Kansas $54,100 +8% above national
9 Missouri $52,540 +5% above national
10 Minnesota $51,990 +4% above national
11 Iowa $51,760 +3% above national
12 California $51,300 +2% above national
13 Wisconsin $51,240 +2% above national
14 South Carolina $50,220 same as national
15 Montana $49,560 1% below national
16 New Jersey $49,470 1% below national
17 Indiana $48,700 3% below national
18 Nebraska $47,360 5% below national
19 New York $47,070 6% below national
20 Georgia $46,800 7% below national
21 Maine $46,750 7% below national
22 New Hampshire $46,380 7% below national
23 Texas $46,000 8% below national
24 North Carolina $45,790 9% below national
25 Oklahoma $45,600 9% below national
26 Kentucky $44,170 12% below national
27 Michigan $43,470 13% below national
28 Alabama $41,720 17% below national
29 Connecticut $39,710 21% below national
30 Pennsylvania $39,550 21% below national
31 Arkansas $38,410 23% below national
32 Virginia $38,370 23% below national
33 Tennessee $36,920 26% below national
34 Florida $36,880 26% below national
35 Colorado $33,970 32% below national

Salary by Metro Area

Highest Paying Metros

1. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $102,390 2. Eugene-Springfield, OR $75,630 3. Western Washington nonmetropolitan area $75,190 4. Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan area $64,840 5. Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH $64,350

Lowest Paying Metros

31. South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area $25,460 32. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $33,830 33. Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area $34,330 34. Fort Smith, AR-OK $38,410 35. Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI $43,470
View all 35 metro areas →
# Metro Area Median Salary vs National
1 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $102,390 +105% above national
2 Eugene-Springfield, OR $75,630 +51% above national
3 Western Washington nonmetropolitan area $75,190 +50% above national
4 Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan area $64,840 +30% above national
5 Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH $64,350 +29% above national
6 North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $64,320 +28% above national
7 Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area $64,230 +28% above national
8 South Arkansas nonmetropolitan area $63,890 +28% above national
9 Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $62,890 +26% above national
10 Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $62,790 +25% above national
11 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $62,300 +24% above national
12 Longview-Kelso, WA $61,820 +23% above national
13 St. Louis, MO-IL $61,550 +23% above national
14 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $60,760 +21% above national
15 West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area $58,300 +16% above national
16 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $55,100 +10% above national
17 Kansas nonmetropolitan area $54,050 +8% above national
18 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $53,340 +7% above national
19 Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area $52,760 +5% above national
20 Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $51,690 +3% above national
21 North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous) $50,510 +1% above national
22 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $50,120 same as national
23 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $48,580 3% below national
24 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $46,760 7% below national
25 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $46,580 7% below national
26 Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area $45,790 9% below national
27 Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area $45,220 10% below national
28 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $44,170 12% below national
29 South Georgia nonmetropolitan area $44,140 12% below national
30 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $44,050 12% below national
31 Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI $43,470 13% below national
32 Fort Smith, AR-OK $38,410 23% below national
33 Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area $34,330 31% below national
34 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $33,830 32% below national
35 South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area $25,460 49% below national

Similar Occupations in the Same Category

Other roles in SOC major group 51 (production) with comparable pay and career paths.

Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders

SOC 51-9191

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SOC 51-2011

Bakers

SOC 51-3011

Butchers and Meat Cutters

SOC 51-3021

Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters

SOC 51-7011
Compare Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners side-by-side with another occupation →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners make? ▼
The median annual salary for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners is $50,060 ($24.07/hour). The salary range spans from $35,350 at the 10th percentile to $77,170 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners the most? ▼
Washington pays the highest median salary for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners at $75,190/year, which is +50% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners is High school diploma or equivalent. On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
How dangerous is being a Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners? ▼
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners has a safety grade of B (Safe) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 3.5 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 3.2 per 100 workers.
Is Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners a good career? ▼
Employment for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners is projected to decline 7.8% from 2024 to 2034, which is declining. About 500 openings are projected each year.
How does Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners pay vary by state? ▼
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is Washington at $75,190/year, while Arkansas pays the least at $38,410/year. BLS data covers 35 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners? ▼
The highest-paying metro area for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners is Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA at $102,390/year. BLS reports wage data for 35 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.

What to do with this data

How to use Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners pay figures in a real decision

  • For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $62,150/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
  • Location moves pay significantly: Washington leads at $75,190/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
  • Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs

These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.

Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 annual release. Employment projections from BLS Employment Projections program, 2024–2034. Data reflects cross-industry estimates for all ownership types.

These are survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. See how to use them.

Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.