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Cutters and Trimmers, Hand

ManufacturingO*NET 51-9031.00United States

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.

COMING SOON See related ASU learning
Median annual earnings
$37,586

50th percentile, United States

Projected change
−10.3%

2025 to 2035

Typical education
High school diploma or less

89.2% of the workforce

Employment
6.96K jobs

Growing to 6.24K by 2035

Explore this career by location

Compare nationwide estimates with state or county job-market data.

Showing United States

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Build the skills

ASU learning related to this career

These courses and certificates are connected through catalog career relationships and Lightcast skill tags.

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The work

What cutters and trimmers, hand do

Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.

  • 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.
  • Separate materials or products according to size, weight, type, condition, color, or shade.
  • Fold or shape materials before or after cutting them.
  • Replace or sharpen dulled cutting tools such as saws.

Pay and outlook

What the job pays and where it is heading

Annual earnings range

Reported earnings by percentile, United States

10th percentile
$25,570
25th percentile
$33,145
50th percentile
$37,586
75th percentile
$47,631
90th percentile
$58,186

The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $37,586 and half earn less.

Employment outlook

2025 to 2035 projection

−10.3%projected to decline
20256,957 jobs
2035 projected6,237 jobs

720 fewer positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.

Preparation

Education levels

What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.

High school diploma or less
89.2%
Some college
5.7%
Associate degree
5.2%

Skills

Skills employers ask for

Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.

  • Lifting Ability
  • Hand Tools
  • Machinery
  • General Mathematics
  • Mechanical Aptitude
  • Packaging And Labeling
  • Cutting Equipment
  • Palletizing
  • Workflow Management
  • Power Tool Operation
  • Manual Dexterity
  • Pallet Jacks
  • Cutting Tool (Machining)
  • Safety Procedures
  • Development Environment
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Safety Standards
  • Production Process
  • Quality Management
  • Forklift Truck

How the work gets done

Core competencies

Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.

Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Management of Personnel Resources
Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Instructing
Teaching others how to do something.
Persuasion
Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Negotiation
Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

In the market

Job titles and employers

Recent job postings in United States

Common job titles

  1. 01Cutter Operators68 postings
  2. 02Cutters24 postings
  3. 03Trimmers19 postings
  4. 04Sheeter Operators8 postings
  5. 05Bindery Operators5 postings
  6. 06Driver Helpers5 postings
  7. 07Bucket Operators4 postings
  8. 08Tree Trimmers4 postings
  9. 09Folder Operators3 postings
  10. 10Manufacturing Managers3 postings
  11. 11Trimmers/Climbers3 postings
  12. 12Assemblers2 postings
  13. 13Cheese Clerks2 postings
  14. 14Production Line Managers2 postings
  15. 15Woodworkers2 postings
  16. 16Chicken Catchers1 postings
  17. 17Collator Operators1 postings
  18. 18Die Cutter Operators1 postings
  19. 19Document Scanners1 postings
  20. 20Embroidery Managers1 postings

Top employers

  1. 01Aerotek8 postings
  2. 02Quad-C Management8 postings
  3. 03BWAY Corporation7 postings
  4. 04Graphic Packaging International6 postings
  5. 05Conagra Brands5 postings
  6. 06American Games4 postings
  7. 07Minutemen Staffing4 postings
  8. 08The Halter Group4 postings
  9. 09The Ritescreen Company4 postings
  10. 10Asplundh Tree Experts3 postings
  11. 11Ironmark3 postings
  12. 12Martin Foods3 postings
  13. 13Apache Mills2 postings
  14. 14CJK Group2 postings
  15. 15Coldspring2 postings
  16. 16Dcg One2 postings
  17. 17Delta Montrose Electric Association2 postings
  18. 18Eric'Sons2 postings
  19. 19Everbrite2 postings
  20. 20Express Employment Professionals2 postings

Keep looking

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