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Updated · 2026 tax rules · Data: IRS, BLS, BEA, HUD · How we calculate

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners Salary

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners earn a median $50,060 a year nationally. Production Occupations

U.S. median
$50,060
$24.07 per hour
Range
$35,350 – $77,170
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
5,600
across the U.S.
▲2.2%
Pay trend: The median for tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners in the U.S. rose from $48,970 (May 2024) to $50,060 (May 2025). That roughly kept pace with inflation (2.4%).

What tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners do

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

Typical education
High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience
None required
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Job outlook, 2025–35
-6.8% (declining)
Openings per year
500
Self-employed
3%

Employment of tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners is projected to shrink 6.8% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.

Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners take-home pay calculator

Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
Deductions, kids & local tax

2026 tax year. Federal brackets from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32.

Your take-home pay
$42,403
per year · effective tax rate 15.3%
$3,534Monthly
$1,767Twice a month
$1,631Every 2 weeks
$20.39Hourly
  • Federal income tax$3,827
  • Social Security (6.2%)$3,104
  • Medicare (1.45%)$726
  • Texas income tax$0
  • Take-home pay$42,403

Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state

Pay by experience

PercentileSalaryHourlyTake-home (no state tax)
10th percentile (entry level)$35,350$17.00$30,584
25th percentile$40,800$19.62$34,963
Median (50th)$50,060$24.07$42,403
75th percentile$62,150$29.88$52,118
90th percentile (top earners)$77,170$37.10$63,119

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners salary by state

StateMedian1-yr changeTake-homeRangeJobs
Washington $75,190+3.9%$61,726 $52,330 – $108,720410
Oregon $60,760+1.5%$46,514 $44,350 – $81,370430
Idaho $59,250−9.5%$47,755 $48,000 – $75,550100
Ohio $56,690+0.4%$46,954 $40,450 – $91,890190
Massachusetts $56,600+3.4%$45,048 $48,300 – $56,60040
Louisiana $56,380+10.8%$46,176 $43,370 – $61,55040
Mississippi $55,510+14.9%$45,294 $36,960 – $64,37050
Kansas $54,100+3.3%$43,430 $46,950 – $58,510—
Missouri $52,540+5.7%$42,864 $42,390 – $61,550150
Minnesota $51,990+0.6%$41,942 $35,780 – $76,79090
Iowa $51,760+19.3%$42,454 $43,140 – $72,01060
California $51,300+2.5%$41,605 $39,480 – $70,960620
Wisconsin $51,240+6.6%$41,878 $38,960 – $84,470110
South Carolina $50,220+0.4%$40,676 $39,930 – $73,98080
Montana $49,560—$40,429 $39,790 – $60,190—
New Jersey $49,470−23.3%$40,744 $37,820 – $72,030—
Indiana $48,700+6.3%$39,903 $36,520 – $75,070110
Nebraska $47,360−18.7%$38,958 $39,150 – $57,06040
New York $47,070+8.8%$38,056 $38,050 – $57,980170
Georgia $46,800−18.9%$37,978 $38,520 – $70,200240
Maine $46,750−4.3%$37,770 $36,110 – $64,59060
New Hampshire $46,380+10.4%$39,446 $39,420 – $64,08040
Texas $46,000+20.5%$39,141 $32,200 – $78,620530
North Carolina $45,790+3.5%$37,654 $33,280 – $69,250160
Oklahoma $45,600+13.7%$37,313 $29,740 – $59,41060
Kentucky $44,170−17.9%$36,242 $38,990 – $76,45050
Michigan $43,470−5.5%$35,511 $30,450 – $67,550260
Alabama $41,720+3.2%$33,881 $26,970 – $62,710220
Connecticut $39,710—$33,225 $34,080 – $98,180130
Pennsylvania $39,550−7.3%$32,744 $29,670 – $62,060170
Arkansas $38,410−0.6%$31,757 $29,260 – $67,040160
Virginia $38,370+11.8%$31,618 $29,870 – $65,16080
Tennessee $36,920+3.7%$31,845 $25,450 – $60,160200
Florida $36,880−5.1%$31,813 $32,040 – $46,890120
Colorado $33,970−28.0%$28,689 $33,350 – $36,670—

Related jobs

JobMedian salaryEducationGrowth 2025–35
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$48,750High school diploma or equivalent-9.5%
Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other$45,950High school diploma or equivalent-7.1%
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$43,960High school diploma or equivalent-9.7%
Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic$63,870High school diploma or equivalent-3.4%
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$50,140High school diploma or equivalent-8.3%
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$50,620High school diploma or equivalent-11.3%
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$49,080High school diploma or equivalent-9.5%
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$49,030High school diploma or equivalent-17.2%
Pourers and Casters, Metal$51,810High school diploma or equivalent-5.0%
Foundry Mold and Coremaker$48,110High school diploma or equivalent-23.0%

Frequently asked questions

How much does a tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners make?

The national median salary for tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners is $50,060 a year ($24.07 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,350 and the top 10% earn over $77,170. Source: BLS, May 2025.

Which state pays tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners the most?

Washington has the highest median pay at $75,190.

How many tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners are there in the U.S.?

About 5,600 people work as tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners nationwide.