How much does a tool grinder make?
The median tool grinder in the United States earns $50,060 per year, about $24.07 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all tool grinders earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-4194.
Tool grinder salary range
Pay for tool grinders spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $35,350 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $77,170. The average (mean) wage of $53,240 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,350 | $16.99 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $40,800 | $19.61 | |
| Median (50th) | $50,060 | $24.07 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $62,150 | $29.88 | |
| 90th percentile | $77,170 | $37.10 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners (SOC 51-4194), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Tool grinder salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Tool grinders earn the most in Washington at $75,190 a year, and the least in Colorado at $33,970. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $75,190 | 410 |
| Oregon | $60,760 | 430 |
| Idaho | $59,250 | 100 |
| Ohio | $56,690 | 190 |
| Massachusetts | $56,600 | 40 |
| Louisiana | $56,380 | 40 |
| Mississippi | $55,510 | 50 |
| Kansas | $54,100 | N/A |
| Missouri | $52,540 | 150 |
| Minnesota | $51,990 | 90 |
| Iowa | $51,760 | 60 |
| California | $51,300 | 620 |
| Wisconsin | $51,240 | 110 |
| South Carolina | $50,220 | 80 |
| Montana | $49,560 | N/A |
| New Jersey | $49,470 | N/A |
| Indiana | $48,700 | 110 |
| Nebraska | $47,360 | 40 |
| New York | $47,070 | 170 |
| Georgia | $46,800 | 240 |
| Maine | $46,750 | 60 |
| New Hampshire | $46,380 | 40 |
| Texas | $46,000 | 530 |
| North Carolina | $45,790 | 160 |
| Oklahoma | $45,600 | 60 |
| Kentucky | $44,170 | 50 |
| Michigan | $43,470 | 260 |
| Alabama | $41,720 | 220 |
| Connecticut | $39,710 | 130 |
| Pennsylvania | $39,550 | 170 |
| Arkansas | $38,410 | 160 |
| Virginia | $38,370 | 80 |
| Tennessee | $36,920 | 200 |
| Florida | $36,880 | 120 |
| Colorado | $33,970 | N/A |
State median wages for tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners (SOC 51-4194), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for tool grinders
The BLS projects employment of tool grinders to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 6.8%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 5,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 5,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 500 openings a year for tool grinders. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a tool grinder
The typical entry-level education for tool grinders is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a tool grinder earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $75,190) and the lowest (Colorado, $33,970) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 5,600 people work as tool grinders in the United States. At $50,060 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Tool grinder salary FAQ
How much does a tool grinder make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a tool grinder is $24.07. The middle half of tool grinders earn between $19.61 and $29.88 per hour.
What is the highest tool grinder salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of tool grinders earn more than $77,170 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a tool grinder make a year?
The median annual salary for a tool grinder is $50,060. The average (mean) wage of $53,240 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a tool grinder a well paid job?
At $50,060 a year, a tool grinder earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 5,600 people work as tool grinders in the United States.
Which state pays tool grinders the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for tool grinders at $75,190 a year. Oregon ($60,760) and Idaho ($59,250) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a tool grinder a good career?
Employment of tool grinders is projected to shrink 6.8% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a tool grinder?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for tool grinders as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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