How much does a cutter and trimmer make?
The median cutter and trimmer in the United States earns $38,800 per year, about $18.65 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all cutters and trimmers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 51-9031.
Cutter and trimmer salary range
Pay for cutters and trimmers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $29,910 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $57,820. The average (mean) wage of $41,960 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,910 | $14.38 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $33,860 | $16.28 | |
| Median (50th) | $38,800 | $18.65 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $48,790 | $23.46 | |
| 90th percentile | $57,820 | $27.80 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for cutters and trimmers, hand (SOC 51-9031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Cutter and trimmer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Cutters and trimmers earn the most in Vermont at $60,290 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $23,890. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | $60,290 | 80 |
| New York | $51,420 | N/A |
| Minnesota | $47,330 | 50 |
| Nebraska | $47,250 | 60 |
| Rhode Island | $46,590 | 80 |
| Iowa | $46,230 | 40 |
| North Carolina | $45,910 | 960 |
| Oregon | $44,630 | 70 |
| Kentucky | $43,520 | 60 |
| New Jersey | $41,600 | 290 |
| Connecticut | $41,410 | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $41,410 | 120 |
| Missouri | $41,190 | 140 |
| Indiana | $40,530 | 520 |
| South Carolina | $39,680 | 40 |
| Michigan | $39,110 | 100 |
| South Dakota | $38,660 | 50 |
| Wisconsin | $38,370 | 100 |
| Kansas | $38,090 | 100 |
| California | $36,470 | 950 |
| Florida | $36,430 | 200 |
| Mississippi | $36,430 | 80 |
| Washington | $36,050 | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $35,510 | 220 |
| Ohio | $34,370 | 220 |
| Alabama | $32,140 | 430 |
| Virginia | $32,090 | 60 |
| Texas | $30,510 | 180 |
| Tennessee | $30,400 | 200 |
| Arizona | $30,110 | N/A |
| Georgia | $30,100 | 220 |
| Oklahoma | $29,950 | 50 |
| Louisiana | $23,890 | N/A |
State median wages for cutters and trimmers, hand (SOC 51-9031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for cutters and trimmers
The BLS projects employment of cutters and trimmers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 18.9%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 5,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 4,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 500 openings a year for cutters and trimmers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a cutter and trimmer
The typical entry-level education for cutters and trimmers is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a cutter and trimmer earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Vermont, $60,290) and the lowest (Louisiana, $23,890) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 7,070 people work as cutters and trimmers in the United States. At $38,800 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Cutter and trimmer salary FAQ
How much does a cutter and trimmer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a cutter and trimmer is $18.65. The middle half of cutters and trimmers earn between $16.28 and $23.46 per hour.
What is the highest cutter and trimmer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of cutters and trimmers earn more than $57,820 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a cutter and trimmer make a year?
The median annual salary for a cutter and trimmer is $38,800. The average (mean) wage of $41,960 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a cutter and trimmer a well paid job?
At $38,800 a year, a cutter and trimmer earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 7,070 people work as cutters and trimmers in the United States.
Which state pays cutters and trimmers the most?
Vermont has the highest median salary for cutters and trimmers at $60,290 a year. New York ($51,420) and Minnesota ($47,330) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a cutter and trimmer a good career?
Employment of cutters and trimmers is projected to shrink 18.9% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a cutter and trimmer?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for cutters and trimmers as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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