Cutters and Trimmers, Hand

SOC Code: 51-9031

Cutters and Trimmers, Hands mark or discard items with defects such as spots, stains, scars, snags, chips, scratches, or unacceptable shapes or finishes. This career typically requires moderate-term on-the-job training (months to 1 year). With an AI-proof score of 90.3/100, this role has high resilience to automation. Key skills include Time Management, Speaking, Active Listening.

AI-Proof Score: 90.3Very High
💰

Median Salary

$38,800

📈

Job Growth

-18.1%

⏱️

Training Time

Moderate-term on-the-job training (months to 1 year)

🎓

Job Zone

Zone 2 / 5

💵

Training Cost

~$5,000

Key Skills

  • Time Management
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Monitoring
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Judgment and Decision Making

Common 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.

Why AI-Proof?

  • Requires hands-on physical presence and dexterity
  • Demands human empathy, judgment, and trust
  • Operates in unpredictable, variable environments
  • Social and regulatory barriers to full automation
Cutters and Trimmers, Hand — AI-Proof Careers