Life As a Tool Grinder, Filer, or Sharpener
Career Description Perform precision smoothing, sharpening, polishing, or grinding of metal objects.
A Day in the Life of a Tool Grinder, Filer, or Sharpener
- Fit parts together in pre-assembly to ensure that dimensions are accurate.
- Perform basic maintenance, such as cleaning and lubricating machine parts.
- Inspect, feel, and measure workpieces to ensure that surfaces and dimensions meet specifications.
- Turn valves to direct flow of coolant against cutting wheels and workpieces during grinding.
- Remove and replace worn or broken machine parts, using hand tools.
- Monitor machine operations to determine whether adjustments are necessary, stopping machines when problems occur.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Tool Grinder, Filer, or Sharpener?
When polled, Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Other Tool Grinder, Filer, or Sharpener Job Titles
- Internal Grinder Set-Up Operator
- CNC Operator (Computer Numerically Controlled Operator)
- OD Grinder Operator (Outer Diameter Grinder Operator)
- Machine Operator
- Card Grinder
Tool Grinder, Filer, or Sharpener Employment Estimates
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 9,500 jobs in the United States for Tool Grinder, Filer, or Sharpener. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Tool Grinder, Filer, or Sharpener. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,100 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Tool Grinder, Filer, or Sharpener are Georgia, Connecticut, and New Jersey. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Missouri, or Michigan. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Tool Grinder, Filer, or Sharpener Average Salary
The typical yearly salary for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners is somewhere between $25,090 and $60,740.
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners who work in Washington, New Hampshire, or Iowa, make the highest salaries.
How much do Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $31,840 |
| Arizona | $35,070 |
| Arkansas | $40,720 |
| California | $41,060 |
| Connecticut | $43,370 |
| Florida | $35,320 |
| Georgia | $38,400 |
| Idaho | $44,240 |
| Illinois | $45,790 |
| Indiana | $43,260 |
| Iowa | $47,170 |
| Kansas | $31,240 |
| Kentucky | $40,090 |
| Louisiana | $38,040 |
| Maine | $41,510 |
| Maryland | $57,390 |
| Massachusetts | $43,060 |
| Michigan | $43,160 |
| Minnesota | $37,070 |
| Mississippi | $33,800 |
| Missouri | $33,230 |
| Montana | $34,810 |
| Nebraska | $44,740 |
| New Hampshire | $48,080 |
| New Jersey | $29,250 |
| New York | $40,910 |
| North Carolina | $43,660 |
| Ohio | $41,170 |
| Oklahoma | $39,060 |
| Oregon | $44,470 |
| Pennsylvania | $42,290 |
| South Carolina | $42,380 |
| South Dakota | $35,560 |
| Tennessee | $38,530 |
| Texas | $39,750 |
| Vermont | $43,310 |
| Virginia | $31,650 |
| Washington | $62,380 |
| Wisconsin | $33,850 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners:
- Microsoft Excel
- Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS
- IBM Lotus Notes
- Edgecam
How to Become a Tool Grinder, Filer, or Sharpener
Are there Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners education requirements?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Tool Grinder, Filer, or Sharpener?
Where Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners Are Employed
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
References:
Image Credit: US Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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