Occupation · SOC 51-9031
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.
Median wage
$38,800
$29,910–$57,820
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
7,070
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
0 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningSpeakingTime ManagementReading ComprehensionMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessJudgment and Decision MakingCritical Thinking
Knowledge areas
Production and Processing
Technology & tools
Spreadsheet softwareElectronic mail softwareWord processing software
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.Separate materials or products according to size, weight, type, condition, color, or shade.Fold or shape materials before or after cutting them.Replace or sharpen dulled cutting tools such as saws.Lower table-mounted cutters such as knife blades, cutting wheels, or saws to cut items to specified sizes.Stack cut items and load them on racks or conveyors or onto trucks.Adjust guides and stops to control depths and widths of cuts.Count or weigh and bundle items.Clean, treat, buff, or polish finished items, using grinders, brushes, chisels, and cleaning solutions and polishing materials.Route items to provide cutouts for parts, using portable routers, grinders, and hand tools.Transport items to work or storage areas, using carts.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Work orders and dimension sheets — read and interpret under direct supervisor guidance on a production floor.Defective items with spots, stains, chips, or unacceptable finishes — identify and flag for discard following established inspection protocols.Hand tools such as knives and scissors — select and use under close supervision to perform basic cuts on assigned materials.Cutting tables — unroll and lay out material with assistance, following designated positioning instructions.Templates and patterns — position on material under direction to locate basic cut points on a standard production run.Chalk and pencils — apply to mark cutting lines around templates following demonstrated procedures in a training environment.Loose thread ends and excess plastic — trim from finished products using scissors or snips under direct observation.Product labels including grades and sizes — apply or mark on finished items according to provided specifications.Scrap and waste material — separate and dispose of according to basic workplace housekeeping procedures.Safety rules for hand and power cutting tools — follow consistently during introductory on-the-job training.
developing
Work orders specifying dimensions, cut locations, and quantities — read and execute with minimal supervisor input during routine production shifts.Material defects such as snags, scratches, and unacceptable shapes — assess and sort items independently using established quality criteria.Knives, scissors, and bench-mounted tools — operate proficiently to cut and shape textiles, food, or plastic parts to required dimensions.Rules, scales, and patterns — apply to measure and position materials accurately, maximizing yield on standard cutting assignments.Cutting lines and layout points — mark using squares, straightedges, and scribes with consistent accuracy across repeated production cycles.Portable power cutting tools — use with appropriate control and steadiness on familiar materials in a supervised production setting.Identification numbers, trademarks, and model numbers — mark on products reliably following brand and quality standards.Material rolls and flat stock — mount and align on cutting tables efficiently to maintain steady workflow output.Time constraints on production quotas — manage personal work pace to meet daily targets with consistent attendance and dependability.Spreadsheet and word processing software — use at a basic level to record cut counts and review digital work instructions.
proficient
Non-routine defect patterns including borderline finish flaws — evaluate autonomously and make disposition decisions that balance quality and yield on the production floor.Complex or multi-layered materials such as glass, stone, or laminated textiles — cut and shape to precise specifications using the full range of hand and power tools.Template placement and measurement strategies — optimize independently across varied material sizes to achieve maximum yield with minimal waste.Cutting sequences for mixed-product work orders — plan and execute without oversight, adjusting for material variability mid-run.Dimensional tolerances and finish requirements — verify against work orders and escalate or resolve discrepancies before downstream processing.Marking systems for grades, sizes, and trademarks — apply across diverse product lines, maintaining legibility and regulatory compliance.Production pace and tool condition — monitor continuously, performing minor tool maintenance or adjustments to sustain quality output.Digital work instructions via email and spreadsheet software — retrieve, interpret, and act on independently within a modern manufacturing environment.Ergonomic and safe cutting techniques for repetitive tasks — demonstrate consistently, reducing injury risk during extended production shifts.Incoming material quality and cutting table setup — inspect and configure end-to-end, ensuring all conditions meet standards before a production run begins.
advanced
Workplace cutting and trimming standards — establish and document to align team practices with plant-wide quality and efficiency goals.New hand cutters and trimmers — mentor through structured on-the-job instruction, demonstrating defect identification, tool use, and safe practices.Process inefficiencies in material layout and yield — analyze using production data and recommend corrective changes to supervisors or industrial engineers.Quality inspection criteria for defects and finishes — develop or refine in collaboration with quality assurance, reflecting current product specifications.Team workload and cutting assignments — coordinate across a shift to balance skill levels and meet production schedules under variable demand.Equipment selection and hand-tool procurement needs — assess and advise management on acquisitions that improve throughput or ergonomics.Cross-functional communication between production, quality, and planning teams — facilitate to resolve recurring cutting defects or dimension discrepancies.Spreadsheet-based production tracking systems — maintain and interpret at the department level to report yield, waste, and output metrics.Safety and compliance culture within the cutting and trimming area — model and reinforce, conducting peer checks and contributing to incident reviews.Continuous improvement initiatives for material handling and trimming workflows — lead at the department level, driving measurable reductions in rework and scrap.
Also known as
156 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
PearlerBinder Cutter, HandWire CutterAircraft Metals Technology (Air Force 2A7X1)Remnants CutterTemplate CutterMission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance Journeyman (Air Force 2T351)Fabric CutterEmbroidery OperatorTarget TrimmerShearer and Trimmer, Wire Screen and FabricFine UnhairerChalk CutterCandle CutterMission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance, Helper, Material Handling Equipment (MHE)/463L Maintenance (Air Force 2T311C)Hairspring Cutter IIPower Chisel OperatorFabric TrimmerSheet-Metal-Pattern CutterMission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance, Journeyman, Material Handling Equipment (MHE)/463L Maintenance (Air Force 2T351C)ShaperHand Hose CutterPortable SawyerBuckerDinkerMold CutterCut Off WorkerSlitterRetail Trade Carpet CutterMission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance, Apprentice, Material Handling Equipment (MHE)/463L Maintenance (Air Force 2T331C)Sail CutterRolled Glass CrosscutterPortable Machine CutterPompom MakerMission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance Helper, Firefighting and Refueling Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance (Air Force 2T311A)ClipperSeamerCane CutterHand Welt-ButterCutter, Hand