Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
SOC Code: 51-4194 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
Perform precision smoothing, sharpening, polishing, or grinding of metal objects.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $56,659 | $70,699 | $84,760 | $98,800 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $54,912 | $68,598 | $82,264 | $95,950 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $55,307 | $67,309 | $79,310 | $91,312 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $55,307 | $67,309 | $79,310 | $91,312 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $52,562 | $64,605 | $76,648 | $88,691 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $51,085 | $62,462 | $73,840 | $85,218 |
| Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area | $49,379 | $60,736 | $72,072 | $83,429 |
| Yakima, WA | $50,773 | $61,547 | $72,322 | $83,096 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $39,208 | $52,354 | $65,499 | $78,645 |
| South Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $45,968 | $55,765 | $65,582 | $75,379 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.9 | |
| Operation and Control | 3.8 | |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.5 | |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.4 | |
| Repairing | 3.4 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.2 | |
| Equipment Selection | 3.0 | |
| Troubleshooting | 3.0 | |
| Monitoring | 3.0 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.9 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Mechanical | 3.6 |
| Mathematics | 3.5 |
| English Language | 3.1 |
| Production and Processing | 2.9 |
| Education and Training | 2.7 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 2.7 |
| Administration and Management | 2.5 |
| Engineering and Technology | 2.5 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 45.0% |
| Some college | 35.7% |
| Less than high school | 13.3% |
| Associate's degree | 6.1% |
Typical Tasks
- Dress grinding wheels, according to specifications.
- Monitor machine operations to determine whether adjustments are necessary, stopping machines when problems occur.
- Inspect, feel, and measure workpieces to ensure that surfaces and dimensions meet specifications.
- Set up and operate grinding or polishing machines to grind metal workpieces, such as dies, parts, and tools.
- Remove finished workpieces from machines and place them in boxes or on racks, setting aside pieces that are defective.
- File or finish surfaces of workpieces, using prescribed hand tools.
- Select and mount grinding wheels on machines, according to specifications, using hand tools and applying knowledge of abrasives and grinding procedures.
- Perform basic maintenance, such as cleaning and lubricating machine parts.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Microsoft Excel ANCA ToolRoom IBM Lotus Notes Vero Software Edgecam Zoller
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