What Does a Tool Grinder Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a tool grinder do?

Tool grinders, filers and sharpeners perform precision smoothing, sharpening, polishing or grinding of metal objects, including cutting tools. The median pay is $50,060 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow -6.8% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$50,060
$24.07/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-6.8%
2025–35, a projected decline
Openings per year
500
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
A few months on the job
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
5,800
Employment, 2025

What tool grinders do

Tool grinders keep cutting tools sharp. They sharpen drills, end mills, saw blades and industrial knives, regrind tools to exact angles, inspect edges and help shops cut tool costs.

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. It is a small occupation, and BLS projects decline.

Typical duties

Sharpen cutting tools
Regrind angles
Inspect edges
Set up tool grinders
Measure tools
Recondition saw blades
Track tool inventory

Work environment and schedule

Tool grinders work in tool rooms and sharpening shops.

Schedule: Full-time daytime hours.

A day in the life

7:00 AMSort dull tools.
7:30 AMRegrind end mills.
9:30 AMSharpen drills.
11:00 AMInspect under a scope.

See a full day in the life of a tool grinder →

Tool Grinder salary

Half of tool grinders earned more than $50,060 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $35,350 for the lowest 10% to $77,170 for the top 10%.

$35,35010th$50,060Median$77,17090th

Full tool grinder pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a tool grinder

Finish high school
Take machining classes
Get hired in a tool room
Learn tool geometry
Advance

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a tool grinder →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Tool geometry
Tool grinder setup
Measurement
Edge inspection
CNC tool grinding

People skills

Precision
Patience
Focus
Reliability

All tool grinder skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Precision craft
Daytime hours
No degree needed
Can run your own shop

Cons

Small field
Grinding dust
Repetitive
Declining employment

Certifications and licenses

NIMS Grinding: Credential.
CNC tool grinder training: Manufacturer.
Machining certificate: Helpful.
OSHA 10: Safety.

Career path

Helper: Entry.
Tool Grinder: Sharpen.
CNC Tool Grinder: CNC.
Tool Room Lead or Owner: Lead.

Learn the job before day one

Our Tool Grinder training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as sharpen a twist drill and regrind an end mill, safety and how to land your first job.

View Tool Grinder training Is this career right for me?

Grinding Machine Operator

Grind, polish and finish metal parts to precise sizes and smooth surfaces.

$46,550
A few months on the job

Tool and Die Maker

Build the precision dies, molds and tools factories use to make parts.

$64,050
4 years (apprenticeship)

CNC Machinist

Set up and run computer-controlled machines that cut precision metal parts.

$58,750
6–24 months

Hand Grinder

Grind, sand and polish parts by hand to remove defects and finish surfaces.

$42,660
A few months on the job

Compare: Tool Grinder vs. Grinding Machine Operator · Tool Grinder vs. Tool and Die Maker · Tool Grinder vs. CNC Machinist · Tool Grinder vs. Hand Grinder

Tool Grinder FAQ

Is it a common job?

No, it’s small.

Do I need a degree?

No.

Can I open a shop?

Some tool grinders run sharpening businesses.

How much does a tool grinder make?

The median annual wage for tool grinders was $50,060 ($24.07 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $35,350 and the highest 10% earned more than $77,170.

How long does it take to become a tool grinder?

Most people need about A few months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.

Do you need a degree to be a tool grinder?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-4194 (Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Tool Grinder