Cutting Workers

Specific duties and responsibilities regularly performed in this occupation.

• Mark or discard items with defects such as spots, stains, scars, snags, chips, scratches, or unacceptable shapes or finishes.86
• Trim excess material or cut threads off finished products, such as cutting loose ends of plastic off a manufactured toy for a smoother finish.84
• 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.83
• Position templates or measure materials to locate specified points of cuts or to obtain maximum yields, using rules, scales, or patterns.83
• Read work orders to determine dimensions, cutting locations, and quantities to cut.82
• Mark cutting lines around patterns or templates, or follow layout points, using squares, rules, and straightedges, and chalk, pencils, or scribes.82
• Mark identification numbers, trademarks, grades, marketing data, sizes, or model numbers on products.81
• Unroll, lay out, attach, or mount materials or items on cutting tables or machines.81
• Separate materials or products according to size, weight, type, condition, color, or shade.80
• Fold or shape materials before or after cutting them.79
• Lower table-mounted cutters such as knife blades, cutting wheels, or saws to cut items to specified sizes.75
• Stack cut items and load them on racks or conveyors or onto trucks.75

Developed capacities that facilitate learning or the more rapid acquisition of knowledge.

• Active Listening47

  Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• Speaking47

  Talking to others to convey information effectively.

• Time Management47

  Managing one's own time and the time of others.

• Judgment and Decision Making44

  Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

• Monitoring44

  Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

• Reading Comprehension44

  Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

• Social Perceptiveness44

  Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

• Critical Thinking41

  Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

• Complex Problem Solving38

  Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

• Coordination31

  Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

• Management of Personnel Resources31

  Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.

• Operation and Control31

  Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Organized sets of principles and facts that apply in general domains.

• Production and Processing56

  Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

• Mathematics36

  Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

• English Language30

  Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

• Public Safety and Security29

  Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

• Computers and Electronics24

  Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

• Administration and Management22

  Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

• Education and Training21

  Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

• Design20

  Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

• Psychology20

  Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

• Sociology and Anthropology20

  Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.

• Personnel and Human Resources16

  Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

• Transportation16

  Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Enduring attributes of the individual that influence performance.

• Manual Dexterity63

  The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

• Near Vision60

  The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• Arm-Hand Steadiness53

  The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

• Information Ordering53

  The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

• Category Flexibility50

  The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

• Control Precision50

  The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

• Oral Comprehension50

  The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

• Speech Recognition50

  The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

• Static Strength50

  The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

• Finger Dexterity47

  The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

• Multilimb Coordination47

  The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

• Oral Expression47

  The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

General types of job behaviors occurring on multiple jobs.

• Handling and Moving Objects67

  Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information65

  Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

• Performing General Physical Activities63

  Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates61

  Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

• Getting Information58

  Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships56

  Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People56

  Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

• Controlling Machines and Processes54

  Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events54

  Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials54

  Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings54

  Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work54

  Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Personal characteristics that can affect how well someone performs a job.

• Attention to Detail80

  A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.

• Dependability67

  A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

• Cautiousness59

  A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related decisions or doing work.

• Perseverance23

  A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in the face of difficult circumstances or obstacles at work.

• Integrity20

  A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

• Achievement Orientation19

  A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, set high work-related standards, and exert high effort toward meeting those goals and standards.

• Stress Tolerance18

  A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.

• Self-Control15

  A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in response to criticism or difficult situations at work.

• Self-Confidence8

  A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control one's work-related outcomes.

• Adaptability4

  A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas at work.

• Cooperation1

  A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.

• Sincerity1

  A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, without concern for personal gain or self-interest.

Holland's six occupational interest types (RIASEC) this work tends to attract.

• Realistic87

  Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

• Conventional46

  Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

• Artistic20

  Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

• Investigative4

  Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

• Social2

  Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

• Enterprising0

  Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work.

• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

  • Every day91%

• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

• Spend Time Standing

  • Continually or almost continually80%

• Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

  • Continually or almost continually43%
  • More than half the time35%

• Time Pressure

  • Once a week or more but not every day20%

• Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

  • Extremely important22%
  • Important22%

• Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

  • A lot of freedom39%
  • Very little freedom38%

• Contact With Others

  • Constant contact with others56%
  • No contact with others35%

• Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers

• Freedom to Make Decisions

  • A lot of freedom19%
  • Some freedom38%
  • No freedom17%

• Duration of Typical Work Week

  • 40 hours96%

Education levels O*NET survey respondents in this occupation most often reported having.

• Less than high school diploma
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Some college, no degree

Specific software and technology tools commonly used on the job.

• Spreadsheet software

  Microsoft Excel

• Electronic mail software

  Microsoft Outlook

• Word processing software

  Microsoft Word

Organizations related to this occupation, such as industry and licensing bodies.

• Manufacturers Alliance

Occupations that call for similar work and worker requirements.

• Crushing, Grinding, Polishing, Mixing, and Blending Workers
• Sewing Machine Operators
• Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood
• Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
• Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Machine Feeders and Offbearers
• Shoe and leather workers
• Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
• Machine tool cutting setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
• Machine tool cutting setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
• Miscellaneous metal workers and plastic workers, including multiple machine tool setters
• Painting Workers
• Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
• Machine tool cutting setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
• Packers and Packagers, Hand
• Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Model makers, patternmakers, and molding machine setters, metal and plastic
• Machine tool cutting setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

More specific, granular versions of the Work Activities above.

• Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.
• Trim excess material from workpieces.
• Cut industrial materials in preparation for fabrication or processing.
• Measure materials to mark reference points, cutting lines, or other indicators.
• Position patterns on equipment, materials, or workpieces.
• Shape metal workpieces with hammers or other small hand tools.
• Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references.
• Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
• Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
• Sort materials or products for processing, storing, shipping, or grading.
• Adjust fabrics or other materials during garment production.
• Operate cutting equipment.

Registered apprenticeship program titles associated with this occupation.

• Carpet Cutter (Retail Trade)
• Cutter, Machine 1
• Fur Cutter
• Silkscreen Cutter