Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners is $50,060, or $24.07 per hour. About 5,600 people work in this occupation nationwide. Wages vary substantially by state — from $75,190 in Washington to $33,970 in Colorado.
Wage distribution nationwide
Earnings spread across all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Salary by state
All 35 states with published data, ranked by median annual wage.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $75,190 | $36.15 | 410 | 3.20 |
| 2 | Oregon | $60,760 | $29.21 | 430 | 6.13 |
| 3 | Idaho | $59,250 | $28.49 | 100 | 3.39 |
| 4 | Ohio | $56,690 | $27.25 | 190 | 0.93 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $56,600 | $27.21 | 40 | 0.29 |
| 6 | Louisiana | $56,380 | $27.11 | 40 | 0.60 |
| 7 | Mississippi | $55,510 | $26.69 | 50 | 1.09 |
| 8 | Kansas | $54,100 | $26.01 | — | — |
| 9 | Missouri | $52,540 | $25.26 | 150 | 1.39 |
| 10 | Minnesota | $51,990 | $25.00 | 90 | 0.82 |
| 11 | Iowa | $51,760 | $24.88 | 60 | 1.08 |
| 12 | California | $51,300 | $24.66 | 620 | 0.95 |
| 13 | Wisconsin | $51,240 | $24.64 | 110 | 1.03 |
| 14 | South Carolina | $50,220 | $24.15 | 80 | 0.96 |
| 15 | Montana | $49,560 | $23.83 | — | — |
| 16 | New Jersey | $49,470 | $23.78 | — | — |
| 17 | Indiana | $48,700 | $23.41 | 110 | 0.91 |
| 18 | Nebraska | $47,360 | $22.77 | 40 | 1.14 |
| 19 | New York | $47,070 | $22.63 | 170 | 0.48 |
| 20 | Georgia | $46,800 | $22.50 | 240 | 1.36 |
| 21 | Maine | $46,750 | $22.48 | 60 | 2.63 |
| 22 | New Hampshire | $46,380 | $22.30 | 40 | 1.68 |
| 23 | Texas | $46,000 | $22.12 | 530 | 1.04 |
| 24 | North Carolina | $45,790 | $22.02 | 160 | 0.92 |
| 25 | Oklahoma | $45,600 | $21.92 | 60 | 0.93 |
| 26 | Kentucky | $44,170 | $21.23 | 50 | 0.76 |
| 27 | Michigan | $43,470 | $20.90 | 260 | 1.63 |
| 28 | Alabama | $41,720 | $20.06 | 220 | 2.92 |
| 29 | Connecticut | $39,710 | $19.09 | 130 | 2.14 |
| 30 | Pennsylvania | $39,550 | $19.01 | 170 | 0.78 |
| 31 | Arkansas | $38,410 | $18.47 | 160 | 3.32 |
| 32 | Virginia | $38,370 | $18.45 | 80 | 0.54 |
| 33 | Tennessee | $36,920 | $17.75 | 200 | 1.67 |
| 34 | Florida | $36,880 | $17.73 | 120 | 0.34 |
| 35 | Colorado | $33,970 | $16.33 | — | — |
Related occupations
Same job family, ranked by national employment.
Frequently asked questions
How much do tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners make?
The median annual wage for tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners in the United States is $50,060, or $24.07 per hour. Entry-level workers (10th percentile) earn $35,350, and the top 10% earn $77,170.
How many tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners are employed in the U.S.?
About 5,600 people work as tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners nationwide.
Which state pays tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners the most?
Washington pays the most at a median of $75,190, followed by Oregon ($60,760) and Idaho ($59,250).
Which state pays tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners the least?
Colorado has the lowest median at $33,970.
Where are tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners jobs most concentrated?
The location quotient measures employment concentration relative to the national average. The highest is Oregon at 6.13×.