Cutters and Trimmers, Hand
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
Use hand tools or hand-held power tools to cut and trim a variety of manufactured items, such as carpet, fabric, stone, glass, or rubber.
Median pay: $38,020/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: -18.1% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.
About 600 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Mark or discard items with defects such as spots, stains, scars, snags, chips, scratches, or unacceptable shapes or finishes.
• Trim excess material or cut threads off finished products, such as cutting loose ends of plastic off a manufactured toy for a smoother finish.
• Cut, shape, and trim materials, such as textiles, food, glass, stone, and metal, using knives, scissors, and other hand tools, portable power tools, or bench-mounted tools.
• Position templates or measure materials to locate specified points of cuts or to obtain maximum yields, using rules, scales, or patterns.
• Read work orders to determine dimensions, cutting locations, and quantities to cut.
• Mark cutting lines around patterns or templates, or follow layout points, using squares, rules, and straightedges, and chalk, pencils, or scribes.
• Mark identification numbers, trademarks, grades, marketing data, sizes, or model numbers on products.
• Unroll, lay out, attach, or mount materials or items on cutting tables or machines.
What's the median pay for Cutters and Trimmers, Hand?
The median pay for Cutters and Trimmers, Hand is $38,020 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Cutters and Trimmers, Hand?
Employment for Cutters and Trimmers, Hand is projected to change -18.1% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.
What education is typically required for Cutters and Trimmers, Hand?
Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
How many job openings are there each year for Cutters and Trimmers, Hand?
About 600 openings per year, on average, over the decade.