Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners pay in California

In California, the median pay for tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners is $24.66 an hour ($51,300 a year). About 620 people work in this job there.

$24.66Median hourly pay

$43,710–$61,520Middle half of workers, yearly

620People in this job in California

That is 2% higher than the U.S. median ($50,060). California ranks 12th of 35 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners in California

Earns more than	Hourly	Yearly
10% of workers	$18.98	$39,480
25% of workers	$21.02	$43,710
Half of workers (median)	$24.66	$51,300
75% of workers	$29.58	$61,520
90% of workers	$34.12	$70,960

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners pay in California metro areas

Metro area	Median yearly pay	People in this job
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom	$62,890	30
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont	$53,340	30
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad	$50,120	50
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario	$46,760	0
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim	$46,580	290

California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
Job outlook: -6.8% over ten years, declining · about 500 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in California

Job	Median yearly pay
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$45,890
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$48,450
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing	$46,370
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$46,810
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$46,110
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$60,180
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$45,870
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$59,050

Other job titles for this job

Crankshaft GrinderCutter Grind Tool TechnicianCutter Grind Tool TechCutter GrinderCutting Tool SharpenerDie GrinderDie PolisherDie SharpenerDie TrimmerExternal Tool Grinder OperatorFinish FilerInternal Grinder Setup Operator

Open tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners jobs on JAI Bot

No open jobs in this field right now. Search all jobs or set up a free job alert.

Hiring tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners? Use the free hiring guide for a job description and interview questions, then post the job on JAI Bot. Every job shows typical pay to job seekers.

Post a job free Find jobs Check pay for any job

Add this pay figure to your website (free)

Career sites, schools and workforce boards can show this typical pay on their own pages. Copy this code into your page:

<div data-jaibot-pay></div>
<script src="https://www.jaibot.ai/widget/pay/tool-grinders-filers-and-sharpeners/california.js" async></script>

It updates by itself when new government figures come out.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.