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What You Need to Know About Tool Grinder, Filer, or Sharpener

Position Description Perform precision smoothing, sharpening, polishing, or grinding of metal objects.

Life As a Tool Grinder, Filer, or Sharpener: What Do They Do?

Fit parts together in pre-assembly to ensure that dimensions are accurate.
Study blueprints or layouts of metal workpieces to determine grinding procedures, and to plan machine setups and operational sequences.
File or finish surfaces of workpieces, using prescribed hand tools.
Perform basic maintenance, such as cleaning and lubricating machine parts.
Remove finished workpieces from machines and place them in boxes or on racks, setting aside pieces that are defective.
Inspect dies to detect defects, assess wear, and verify specifications, using micrometers, steel gauge pins, and loupes.

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What Every Tool Grinder, Filer, or Sharpener Should Know

These are the skills Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners say are the most useful in their careers:

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.

Types of Tool Grinder, Filer, or Sharpener

Outer Diameter Technician (OD Technician)
Precision Grinder
Cutter Grind Tool Technician
Tool Sharpener
Die Grinder

Tool Grinder, Filer, or Sharpener Job Outlook

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. The BLS estimates 1,100 yearly job openings in this field.

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

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners make between $25,090 and $60,740 a year.

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 do I 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?

Who Employs Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners?

The table below shows the approximate number of Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners employed by various industries.

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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