CFChooseField
Production

Cutters and Trimmers, Hand

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Cutters and Trimmers, Hand

Median pay

$38,800
Median annual pay for Cutters and Trimmers, Hand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

10-year growth

-18.1%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Annual openings

600
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Employment

7,000
Estimated U.S. employment for Cutters and Trimmers, Hand in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

Jobs added or lost

-1,300
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Entry preparation

No formal educational credential
Typical additional preparation: Short-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
View source ↗
O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Speaking
  3. 3Monitoring
  4. 4Reading Comprehension
  5. 5Critical Thinking
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Production and Processing
  2. 2Mathematics
  3. 3English Language
  4. 4Public Safety and Security
  5. 5Computers and Electronics
  6. 6Administration and Management

Abilities

  1. 1Manual Dexterity
  2. 2Near Vision
  3. 3Arm-Hand Steadiness
  4. 4Information Ordering
  5. 5Category Flexibility
  6. 6Control Precision

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Artistic
  4. 4Investigative
  5. 5Social
  6. 6Enterprising

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Cautiousness
  4. 4Perseverance
  5. 5Integrity
  6. 6Achievement Orientation

Work activities

  1. 1Handling and Moving Objects
  2. 2Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
  3. 3Performing General Physical Activities
  4. 4Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  5. 5Getting Information
  6. 6Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Work context

  1. 1Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  2. 2Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  3. 3Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  4. 4Spend Time Standing
  5. 5Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
  6. 6Time Pressure

Representative tasks

  • 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.

Software and tools

Microsoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technology

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.