How much do Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners make?
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners earn a median annual salary of $50,060 in the United States, which works out to roughly $24.07 per hour for full-time work. Most earn between $35,350 at the entry level and $77,170 at the senior end, with the middle 50% taking home between $40,800 and $62,150 a year.
That is $11,330 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners salary range by percentile
Half of all Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners earn between $40,800 and $62,150 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,350 | $17.00 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $40,800 | $19.62 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $50,060 | $24.07 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $62,150 | $29.88 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,170 | $37.10 |
Highest-paying states for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Washington leads the country for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners pay at $75,190 a year, followed by Oregon ($60,760) and Idaho ($59,250). At the other end, Colorado posts the lowest median at $33,970 — a gap of $41,220 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $75,190 | $36.15 | +50% |
| 2 | Oregon | $60,760 | $29.21 | +21% |
| 3 | Idaho | $59,250 | $28.49 | +18% |
| 4 | Ohio | $56,690 | $27.25 | +13% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $56,600 | $27.21 | +13% |
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 35 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 6,000 people work as Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $53,240 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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