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Occupation · SOC 51-4194

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners

There are 5,600 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $50,060 a year. The most jobs are in Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
5,600
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$50,060
Median pay a year
Middle half: $40,800–$62,150
500
Annual openings
10-year change: −6.8%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 18 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $46,580 · LCA filings 0290$46,5800
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WAMedian pay $60,760 · LCA filings 0220$60,7600
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $102,390 · LCA filings 0170$102,3900
Grand Rapids–Wyoming–Kentwood, MIMedian pay $43,470 · LCA filings 0150$43,4700
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $48,580 · LCA filings 0110$48,5800
St. Louis, MO–ILMedian pay $61,550 · LCA filings 0100$61,5500
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $44,050 · LCA filings 070$44,0500
Eugene–Springfield, ORMedian pay $75,630 · LCA filings 050$75,6300
Hartford–West Hartford–East Hartford, CTMedian pay $51,690 · LCA filings 050$51,6900
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAMedian pay $50,120 · LCA filings 050$50,1200

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 170 · LCA filings 0$102,3901700
Eugene–Springfield, OREmployment 50 · LCA filings 0$75,630500
Dayton–Kettering–Beavercreek, OHEmployment 30 · LCA filings 0$64,350300
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CAEmployment 30 · LCA filings 0$62,890300
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$62,790400

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $45,032 · Level III $49,379 · Level IV $53,726$40,685$45,032$49,379$53,726
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WALevel II $54,662 · Level III $62,837 · Level IV $71,032$46,467$54,662$62,837$71,032
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $77,334 · Level III $91,021 · Level IV $104,686$63,669$77,334$91,021$104,686
Grand Rapids–Wyoming–Kentwood, MILevel II $42,266 · Level III $46,010 · Level IV $49,733$38,542$42,266$46,010$49,733
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $45,365 · Level III $50,794 · Level IV $56,222$39,936$45,365$50,794$56,222
St. Louis, MO–ILLevel II $54,184 · Level III $57,845 · Level IV $61,485$50,544$54,184$57,845$61,485
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $39,957 · Level III $44,221 · Level IV $48,464$35,714$39,957$44,221$48,464
Eugene–Springfield, ORLevel II $58,947 · Level III $67,704 · Level IV $76,440$50,211$58,947$67,704$76,440
Hartford–West Hartford–East Hartford, CTLevel II $44,179 · Level III $52,541 · Level IV $60,902$35,818$44,179$52,541$60,902
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CALevel II $46,488 · Level III $53,622 · Level IV $60,736$39,374$46,488$53,622$60,736

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Precision Metal WorkingCIP 48.05OPT · up to 12 months261OPT · up to 12 months

See Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners in every metro area

All 18 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology