Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic work pieces.
Median pay: $46,550/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: -12% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.
About 5,500 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Inspect or measure finished workpieces to determine conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as gauges or micrometers.
• Measure workpieces and lay out work, using precision measuring devices.
• Observe machine operations to detect any problems, making necessary adjustments to correct problems.
• Move machine controls to index workpieces, and to adjust machines for pre-selected operational settings.
• Study blueprints, work orders, or machining instructions to determine product specifications, tool requirements, and operational sequences.
• Select machine tooling to be used, using knowledge of machine and production requirements.
• Mount and position tools in machine chucks, spindles, or other tool holding devices, using hand tools.
• Activate machine start-up switches to grind, lap, hone, debar, shear, or cut workpieces, according to specifications.
What's the median pay for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
The median pay for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is $46,550 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Employment for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is projected to change -12% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.
What education is typically required for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
How many job openings are there each year for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
About 5,500 openings per year, on average, over the decade.