California Median
$51,300
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.66
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $50,060
State Rank
#12 of 35
620 employed here
How much do Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners make in California?
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners in California take home a median of $51,300 annually — roughly $24.66 an hour — which runs 2% above the national median of $50,060.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $39,480 while the top 10% make $70,960 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $43,710 and $61,520 a year.
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,480 | $18.98 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $43,710 | $21.01 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $51,300 | $24.66 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $61,520 | $29.58 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,960 | $34.12 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 12th out of 35 states and territories for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners salary in other states
Washington $75,190Oregon $60,760Idaho $59,250Ohio $56,690Massachusetts $56,600Louisiana $56,380Mississippi $55,510Kansas $54,100Missouri $52,540Minnesota $51,990Iowa $51,760Wisconsin $51,240South Carolina $50,220Montana $49,560New Jersey $49,470Indiana $48,700Nebraska $47,360New York $47,070Georgia $46,800Maine $46,750New Hampshire $46,380Texas $46,000North Carolina $45,790Oklahoma $45,600Kentucky $44,170Michigan $43,470Alabama $41,720Connecticut $39,710Pennsylvania $39,550Arkansas $38,410Virginia $38,370Tennessee $36,920Florida $36,880Colorado $33,970
Working as Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners in California
Nationally, about 6,000 people work as Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($51,300) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners make in California?
The median Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners salary in California is $51,300 per year, or about $24.66 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,480 at the entry level to $70,960 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners about 2% more than the national median of $50,060. California ranks 12th out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $51,300 a year. About 620 Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.