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What is a sander and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a sander. For example, did you know that they make an average of $15.38 an hour? That's $31,983 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 3% and produce 8,200 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreSanderUS Average
Salary
2.5

Avg. Salary $31,983

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
4.3

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
8.8
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.88%

Asian 4.77%

Black or African American 8.71%

Hispanic or Latino 17.87%

Unknown 4.03%

White 63.74%

Gender

female 32.46%

male 67.54%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44
Stress level
4.3

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.6

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.7

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Sander career paths

Key steps to become a sander

  1. Explore sander education requirements

    Most common sander degrees

    High School Diploma

    53.7 %

    Diploma

    15.3 %

    Associate

    14.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific sander skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Assembly Line14.05%
    Cabinet Doors13.75%
    Shop Safety13.03%
    Bondo11.63%
    Coats7.74%
  3. Complete relevant sander training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New sanders learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a sander based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real sander resumes.
  4. Research sander duties and responsibilities

    • Smooth surface of wooden articles prior to finishing and between finish coats, using sandpaper and steel wool.
    • Operate forklift and CNC machine.
    • Operate Pratt and Whitney CNC machines.
    • Apply bondo, glazing, and stain to cabinets.
  5. Apply for sander jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a sander job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first sander job

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Average sander salary

The average sander salary in the United States is $31,983 per year or $15 per hour. Sander salaries range between $24,000 and $41,000 per year.

Average sander salary
$31,983 Yearly
$15.38 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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