Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
Machines can already do 23% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 62%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 23% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2033, and 62% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 5,600 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $50,060 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 46% for contact with people.
- Also called: Crankshaft Grinder, Cutter Grind Tool Technician (Cutter Grind Tool Tech), Cutter Grinder, Grinder.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Set up and operate grinding or polishing machines to grind metal workpieces, such as dies, parts, and tools | 30% | 20% to 60% | |
| Inspect, feel, and measure workpieces to ensure that surfaces and dimensions meet specifications | 13% | 20% to 60% | |
| Monitor machine operations to determine whether adjustments are necessary, stopping machines when problems occur | 10% | 30% to 75% | |
| File or finish surfaces of workpieces, using prescribed hand tools | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Remove finished workpieces from machines and place them in boxes or on racks, setting aside pieces that are defective | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Study blueprints or layouts of metal workpieces to determine grinding procedures, and to plan machine setups and operational sequences | 5% | 55% to 85% | |
| Select and mount grinding wheels on machines, according to specifications, using hand tools and applying knowledge of abrasives and grinding procedures | 4% | 20% to 60% | |
| Perform basic maintenance, such as cleaning and lubricating machine parts | 4% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders56% of tasks by 2035 · US median $50,270
- Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles59% of tasks by 2035 · US median $56,460
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic60% of tasks by 2035 · US median $46,550
- Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators61% of tasks by 2035 · US median $70,070
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2033. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners?
Machines can do 23% of the tasks of tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners today and 62% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 51-4194.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/tool-grinders-filers-and-sharpeners/