Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners
SOC Code: 51-4194
Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners carries a 35% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $48,970 and -7.8% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 5,800 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners (SOC 51-4194) carries an AI exposure score of 35%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 5,800 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -7.8% change through 2034 — a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $48,970, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Monitor machine operations to determine whether adjustments are necessary, stopping machines when problems occur.
- 2. Inspect, feel, and measure workpieces to ensure that surfaces and dimensions meet specifications.
- 3. Study blueprints or layouts of metal workpieces to determine grinding procedures, and to plan machine setups and operational sequences.
- 4. Select and mount grinding wheels on machines, according to specifications, using hand tools and applying knowledge of abrasives and grinding procedures.
- 5. Compute numbers, widths, and angles of cutting tools, micrometers, scales, and gauges, and adjust tools to produce specified cuts.
- 6. Turn valves to direct flow of coolant against cutting wheels and workpieces during grinding.
- 7. Set up and operate grinding or polishing machines to grind metal workpieces, such as dies, parts, and tools.
- 8. Dress grinding wheels, according to specifications.
- 9. File or finish surfaces of workpieces, using prescribed hand tools.
- 10. Perform basic maintenance, such as cleaning and lubricating machine parts.
Key Skills Required
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Quality Control Analysis
- Equipment Maintenance
- Repairing
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Equipment Selection
- Troubleshooting
- Reading Comprehension
Knowledge Areas
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Production and Processing
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Computers and Electronics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners?
Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners has an AI exposure score of 35%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners is projected to decline by 7.8% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 5,800 workers.
What skills are needed for Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners?
Key skills for Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners include Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Quality Control Analysis, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners earn?
The median annual wage for Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners is $48,970, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners?
The typical entry-level education for Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners?
Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).