How much does a hand cutter make?
a year · about $18 an hour
A typical hand cutter in the United States makes $38,020 a year, about $18 an hour, below a typical US worker ($50,980) (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
You use scissors, a knife, or a handheld power tool to cut fabric, glass, stone, or other materials to size. Then you check pieces for flaws and trim loose threads or extra bits so the product looks finished.
Did you know? A hand cutter may finish a toy by snipping off extra plastic edges—so this job can involve toy finishing, not just fabric.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $26,630 and $57,870How do you become one?
In the United States, a high-school diploma or GED can help, though some jobs require less education. Many people can start with little or no experience and learn on the job; training can last from a few days to a year.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, experience and useful skills can help hand cutters earn more. Pay also varies by employer industry and location, and more complex or responsible tasks may pay differently.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Nebraska ($48,830), lowest in Tennessee ($27,030).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $26,630 | $38,020 | $57,870 | about 6,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | $48,830 | about 60 |
| Vermont | $48,670 | — |
| Iowa | $48,580 | — |
| Rhode Island | $48,100 | about 50 |
| North Carolina | $47,910 | about 1,000 |
Official definition: 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.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-9031.00
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/51-9031.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes519031.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY