Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
No formal educational credential
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Cutters and trimmers, hand work with physical materials and tools, using fine motor skills and attention to detail to complete precise cutting tasks. This occupation employs about 7,000 people nationally, so it represents a relatively small, specialized segment of the labor market. The national median annual salary of $38,800 places earnings in a modest range, with higher and lower pay available depending on location. Projected employment growth of -18.1% indicates that overall jobs in this field are expected to decline, yet there are still about 1,000 openings projected each year across the country. These openings can come from workers changing jobs or leaving the labor force. Typical entry into this occupation does not require a formal educational credential, which may appeal to people who want to start working without completing a degree. Strong fine motor ability, physical strength and stamina, mechanical aptitude, and being detail oriented are all important for success in this career.
The national median annual salary for cutters and trimmers, hand is $38,800. Pay varies by state and metro area, giving workers some opportunity to increase earnings by location choice. Among the states listed, New York shows a relatively higher median salary of $46,190, while Texas has a lower median of $29,130. Massachusetts is also above the national median at $39,970, and California is slightly below at $37,840. In the highlighted metro areas, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont stands out with a median salary of $42,580, and the New York-Newark-Jersey City metro offers $39,160. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim are in the mid-$30,000 range. Since this role typically does not require a formal educational credential, the earnings reflect a trade-off between accessible entry and modest income, with some geographic variation offering higher wage potential.
Nationally, cutters and trimmers, hand have total employment of about 7,000 workers. The occupation’s projected employment growth rate is -18.1%, indicating that the number of jobs is expected to decline over time. Even with this negative growth, there are still about 1,000 projected annual openings across the country. These openings can arise from replacement needs as current workers retire, change occupations, or leave the labor force, even while overall job counts fall. All listed states and metro areas share the same projected growth rate of -18.1%, suggesting a consistent downward trend across regions. For individuals considering this field, the data points to a shrinking job base but continuing turnover-related opportunities. People exploring alternatives might also look at related occupations such as sewing machine operators, graders and sorters of agricultural products, slaughterers and meat packers, tapers, or machine feeders and offbearers when comparing long-term prospects.
Location makes a meaningful difference for cutters and trimmers, hand in both pay and concentration of jobs. Among states, California and Texas have the highest employment levels listed, with 770 and 740 workers respectively, though their median salaries differ: $37,840 in California versus $29,130 in Texas. New York combines a smaller employment base of 220 with a higher median salary of $46,190 and a strong opportunity score of 65.78. Massachusetts and Virginia show lower employment counts—110 and 60—yet still appear among top opportunity states, with Massachusetts offering a median salary of $39,970. At the metro level, New York-Newark-Jersey City stands out, with 440 employed, a median salary of $39,160, and the highest opportunity score of 77.27. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim has 530 workers and a median salary of $37,500, while San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont offers fewer jobs at 40 but a higher median salary of $42,580. All highlighted areas share the same projected growth rate of -18.1%.
Cutters and trimmers, hand typically enter the occupation with no formal educational credential. This makes the field accessible to people who want to begin working without completing a degree or formal program. However, success in this career still depends on developing a specific set of abilities and knowledge areas. Fine motor skills are important for precise manual work, while physical strength and stamina support the physical demands of the job. Mechanical skills help workers understand and use tools and equipment effectively. Being detail oriented is essential for accuracy and consistency. Additional skills such as basic mathematics, science, and writing and reading support problem solving and following instructions. Interpersonal abilities can aid communication in work settings, and familiarity with computers and information technology can be useful where digital tools are involved. Leadership skills may become more important for those who advance to roles coordinating or guiding others in similar work settings.
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