Prevailing Wage for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
Prevailing wage for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners (SOC 51-4194) sets the minimum an employer must pay a sponsored worker in this occupation. Whether your offer covers a Cutter Grinder, Finisher, or Grinder Operator role, DOL sets four experience-based wage levels and the floor shifts significantly by city.
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Entry-level candidates with limited hands-on experience in precision grinding or filing operations. Typically follows close supervision and performs routine tasks. Most employers filing at this level are hiring workers new to production grinding environments.
Workers with practical experience operating grinding or sharpening equipment with minimal supervision. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners, reflecting journeyman-level proficiency on standard production work.
Experienced grinders who independently handle complex setups, tight tolerances, or specialized equipment such as OD grinders. May troubleshoot quality issues and guide less experienced operators without holding a formal supervisory title.
Senior or lead-level professionals with full competency across equipment types, inspection methods, and process optimization. Often responsible for training others, approving setups, or maintaining quality standards across a production cell.
Prevailing Wage for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
Verify your SOC against your actual grinder type
Employers sometimes file Saw Filers or OD Grinder Operators under maintenance or machinist SOC codes, which carry different wage floors. Confirm your offer letter and LCA both reference SOC 51-4194 before accepting.
Watch how Seattle and Portland widen the wage gap
The Pacific Northwest consistently posts the highest prevailing wages for grinding roles. If your offer is in Seattle or Portland, the L1 floor alone substantially exceeds the national median, so verify the worksite city on your LCA matches your actual location.
Exclude shift differentials from your prevailing wage calculation
DOL counts only base hourly wages toward the prevailing wage floor for production grinding roles. Shift differentials, tool allowances, and attendance bonuses do not count, so an offer that looks sufficient may fall short on base pay alone.
Find employers who have sponsored grinders before on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate shows which employers have a history of sponsoring Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners, so you can focus applications on manufacturers and fabricators already familiar with the LCA and petition process for this occupation.
Jobs for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for this rolePrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 51-4194.00 alongside Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Cutter Grinder Prevailing Wage
Cutter Grinder Prevailing Wage
Cutter Grinder positions fall under SOC 51-4194.00 (Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Finisher Prevailing Wage
Finisher Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Finisher for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-4194.00 (Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Grinder Prevailing Wage
Grinder Prevailing Wage
Grinder is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-4194.00 (Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Grinder Operator Prevailing Wage
Grinder Operator Prevailing Wage
Grinder Operator positions fall under SOC 51-4194.00 (Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
OD Grinder Operator (Outer Diameter Grinder Operator) Prevailing Wage
OD Grinder Operator (Outer Diameter Grinder Operator) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a OD Grinder Operator (Outer Diameter Grinder Operator) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-4194.00 (Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Saw Filer Prevailing Wage
Saw Filer Prevailing Wage
Saw Filer is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-4194.00 (Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Tool and Cutter Grinder Prevailing Wage
Tool and Cutter Grinder Prevailing Wage
Tool and Cutter Grinder positions fall under SOC 51-4194.00 (Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Tool Grinder Prevailing Wage
Tool Grinder Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Tool Grinder for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-4194.00 (Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners?
DOL calculates prevailing wages using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across hundreds of metropolitan areas. For each area, DOL publishes four wage levels tied to SOC 51-4194. Employers filing an LCA with OFLC must pay at least the level that matches the position's actual experience requirements, not the lowest available level.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
Level 1 covers entry positions with close supervision and basic tasks. Level 2 reflects qualified workers with independent production experience, and is the most common filing level for this occupation. Level 3 applies to experienced operators handling complex setups or specialized equipment. Level 4 is reserved for senior or lead roles. Your level should match the actual duties, supervision, and complexity described in the job offer, not simply your years of experience.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same grinder role differ so much between cities?
DOL derives wages from regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, so local labor market conditions directly determine the floor. A dense manufacturing hub like Seattle sets a far higher threshold than a lower-cost market like Fort Smith, Arkansas. The LCA must list the actual worksite city, and OFLC applies that city's wage schedule, so the location on your LCA controls which floor applies, not where the company is headquartered.
What happens if my sponsored offer is below the prevailing wage floor?
OFLC will not certify an LCA where the offered wage falls below the prevailing wage for the worksite location and experience level. Without a certified LCA, USCIS cannot approve an H-1B or other work visa petition. If the offer is deficient, the employer must increase the base pay before refiling. DOL also maintains audit authority and can assess back wages if an employer underpays a sponsored worker after certification.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners position in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool, which lets you look up SOC 51-4194 by metropolitan area and wage level. The result reflects the current DOL-published floor for that location. You can also review OFLC disclosure data to see what wages employers have actually listed on certified LCAs for grinder and filer roles. Migrate Mate surfaces employers with verified sponsorship history for this occupation, so you can identify which companies are actively filing for the role in your target market.
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