Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Set up, operate, or tend machines to crush, grind, or polish materials, such as coal, glass, grain, stone, food, or rubber.
Also called: Beveler Operator · Cullet Trucker · Grinder · Grinder Operator · Machine Operator · Machine Tender
Median pay (national)
$46,890
$35,380–$65,980 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
28,550
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-2.5%
~2,700 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $65,980 versus $35,380 at the bottom 10% — 1.9x. The median of $46,890 leaves roughly 41% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -2.5% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 2,700 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 48 states with released data, Wyoming pays the most for this role (median $76,350, +63% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $22,940 — a 233% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Monitoring, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
Tailor your resume to Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Honest tailoring
See how your resume lines up with Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Refit re-angles your real experience toward this role using the skills above — and never invents skills you don't have. A no-fabrication gate checks every change before you see it.
Free. No account needed to see your first re-fit.
Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Observe operation of equipment to ensure continuity of flow, safety, and efficient operation, and to detect malfunctions.
- Tend accessory equipment, such as pumps and conveyors, to move materials or ingredients through production processes.
- Weigh or measure materials, ingredients, or products at specified intervals to ensure conformance to requirements.
- Record data from operations, testing, and production on specified forms.
- Read work orders to determine production specifications and information.
- Clean, adjust, and maintain equipment, using hand tools.
- Move controls to start, stop, or adjust machinery and equipment that crushes, grinds, polishes, or blends materials.
- Inspect chains, belts, or scrolls for signs of wear.
- Clean work areas.
- Dislodge and clear jammed materials or other items from machinery and equipment, using hand tools.
Tools & technology
- SAP software
- Email software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Administration and Management
- Production and Processing
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Public Safety and Security
- Mathematics
- Mechanical
- Administrative