Career comparison
CNC Machinist vs. Tool Grinder
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
CNC machinists earn more at the median ($58,750 vs. $50,060), while tool grinders usually get to work faster (A few months on the job of training). CNC machinists set up and run computer-controlled machines that cut precision metal parts. Tool grinders sharpen and recondition cutting tools, drills, saws and knives.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| CNC Machinist | Tool Grinder | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $58,750 ($28.24/hr) | $50,060 ($24.07/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $39,200 – $80,010 | $35,350 – $77,170 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +1.0% (slower than average) | -6.8% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 26,100 | 500 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 6–24 months | A few months on the job |
| Key credential | NIMS credentials | NIMS Grinding |
| Work setting | Machinists work in machine shops and factories. | Tool grinders work in tool rooms and sharpening shops.. |
What each job does
CNC Machinist
- Read blueprints, GD&T and setup sheets
- Set up CNC mills and lathes, including fixtures, tools and offsets
- Load programs and run machines
- Measure parts with precision instruments and adjust offsets
- Perform first-article and in-process inspections
Tool Grinder
- Sharpen cutting tools
- Regrind angles
- Inspect edges
- Set up tool grinders
- Measure tools
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, indoor work, working independently, and steady routines. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose CNC machinist if…
- I enjoy precise, careful work
- I like math and measurements
- I’m comfortable around machines
Choose tool grinder if…
- I love precision
- I like tools
- I’m patient
Still torn? Take the CNC Machinist fit quiz and the Tool Grinder fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, CNC machinist or tool grinder?
CNC Machinists earn more at the median: $58,750 versus $50,060 for tool grinders, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Tool Grinders typically train faster (A few months on the job) than CNC machinists (6–24 months).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects CNC machinists to grow +1.0% from 2025–35, compared with -6.8% for tool grinders.