SOC 51-4194 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners — Houston
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX · 1 metro areas compared
In Houston, TX the median wage for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners is $62,300 a year, which is 24.5% higher than the national figure of $50,060.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Houston, TX the median wage for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners is $62,300 a year, which is 24.5% higher than the national figure of $50,060. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $46,000 and $78,610. The lowest tenth earn under $38,020, while the highest tenth earn more than $78,670.
Within the state, Dallas records the highest median at $33,830. Of the 699 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 311th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,020 | −24.1% |
| 25th | $46,000 | −8.1% |
| Median (50th) | $62,300 | +24.5% |
| 75th | $78,610 | +57.0% |
| 90th | $78,670 | +57.2% |
| Mean | $57,860 | +15.6% |
Other metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas | $33,830 | — |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Houston run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $62,300 goes as far as $64,161 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 28.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$62,300as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$64,161US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $62,300 a year, 24.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,020 to $78,670 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Dallas, at $33,830.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners in Houston, TX?
The median annual wage is $62,300, or $29.95 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $50,060, so pay in Houston, TX is 24.5% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Houston, TX earns more than $78,670 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,020 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Dallas, at $33,830 per year.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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