Cutters and Trimmers, Hand
Cutters and trimmers use hand tools and hand-held power tools to cut and trim manufactured materials like carpet, fabric, stone, glass, and rubber. They work in manufacturing facilities, textile mills, glass shops, stone yards, and fabrication plants, following measurements and patterns to produce finished or semi-finished products.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against cutters and trimmers, hand and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical week involves measuring materials against specifications, operating cutting tools to shape items to size, and trimming excess material from finished products. Workers may spend time at a single station cutting carpet rolls or fabric bolts, or move between different work areas depending on the items being processed. Quality checks and material preparation take up portions of most shifts.
Who this work suits
Holland code RCA. Realistic work is hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You likely do well in this work if you prefer hands-on tasks and following clear procedures and specifications. People suited to this role tend to be detail-oriented, comfortable working with machinery and tools, and satisfied with routine work that produces tangible, finished results.
What it takes
Preparation: Some preparation (usually high school; some on-the-job training). Most people in this occupation hold no formal education requirement.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | $41,530 | $48,830 | $52,840 | 60 |
| Vermont | $38,650 | $48,670 | $65,930 | — |
| Iowa | $48,580 | $48,580 | $48,600 | — |
| Rhode Island | $42,370 | $48,100 | $48,100 | 50 |
| North Carolina | $39,120 | $47,910 | $58,010 | 1,060 |
| Michigan | $39,630 | $46,830 | $49,210 | 50 |
| Minnesota | $37,340 | $46,570 | $51,060 | 40 |
| New York | $38,160 | $46,190 | $55,560 | 220 |
| Indiana | $35,880 | $41,740 | $49,390 | 360 |
| Missouri | $37,500 | $40,560 | $46,110 | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $34,880 | $39,970 | $44,810 | 110 |
| South Carolina | $36,020 | $39,340 | $40,970 | 50 |
All 30 states
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against cutters and trimmers, hand and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 51-9031.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.