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What Does it Take to Be a Tool Grinder, Filer, or Sharpener?

Example of Tool Grinder, Filer, or Sharpener Job Perform precision smoothing, sharpening, polishing, or grinding of metal objects.

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

Compute numbers, widths, and angles of cutting tools, micrometers, scales, and gauges, and adjust tools to produce specified cuts.
Fit parts together in pre-assembly to ensure that dimensions are accurate.
Turn valves to direct flow of coolant against cutting wheels and workpieces during grinding.
Dress grinding wheels, according to specifications.
Inspect, feel, and measure workpieces to ensure that surfaces and dimensions meet specifications.
Place workpieces in electroplating solutions or apply pigments to surfaces of workpieces to highlight ridges and grooves.

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Things a Tool Grinder, Filer, or Sharpener Should Know How to Do

Below is a list of the skills most Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners say are important on the job.

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.

Tool Filer
Tool Room Utility Specialist
Die Sharpener
Machine Operator
Grinder Operator

Is There Job Demand for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners?

There were about 9,500 jobs for Tool Grinder, Filer, or Sharpener in 2016 (in the United States). 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 Salary

The average yearly salary of a Tool Grinder, Filer, or Sharpener ranges between $25,090 and $60,740.

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners who work in Washington, New Hampshire, or Iowa, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners in different U.S. states.

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?

What kind of Tool Grinder, Filer, or Sharpener requirements are there?

What work experience do I need to become a Tool Grinder, Filer, or Sharpener?

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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