What is the salary of a Cutter and Trimmer, Hand?

The typical salary range is $27,160 - $54,320 per year.

Supply Chain & ProductionDeclining

Cutter and Trimmer, Hand

Operational-level

Also known as: Aluminum Sheet Cutter, Basting Puller, Belt Splicer, Bright Cutter

Supply Chain & ProductionBachelor's Degree

Job Description

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.

Cutting & TrimmingMaterials FabricationManufacturing ProductionTool OperationSupply ChainIndustrial ArtsSkilled TradesEngineeringManufacturingProduction

Skills employers are looking for in 2027

Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.

Hot technologies

Microsoft Excel Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Word

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Projected growth

-18.9%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

500

per year (US)

Jobs today

5,900

in 2025 → 4,800 (2035)

Typical entry education

No formal educational credential

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook.

Work Environment

How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.

Email & digital communication

Low

Working in a team

Moderate

Contact with others

Moderate

Freedom to make decisions

Moderate

Time pressure

High

Time spent sitting

Low

Working outdoors

Low

Indoor, climate-controlled

High

Dealing with customers

Low

Level of competition

Low

Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)

Future Perspective

Declining Job Market

This field is experiencing contraction with decreasing job opportunities. Consider developing skills in related growing fields.

Career ladder

Often before this role

Production Helper
Assembler
Material Handler

Cutter and Trimmer, Hand

Where it can lead

Quality Control Inspector
Production Supervisor
Specialized Machine Operator

Impact of AI on this Job

AI will significantly automate many routine cutting and trimming tasks within the next 5-10 years, especially in mass production settings, leading to a decreased demand for purely manual roles. Remaining positions will likely shift towards specialized, custom work, or supervising AI-driven machinery that performs the bulk of the cutting and trimming.

Salary

$38,020

Median annual wage, BLS 2025

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum educational requirement for this position