Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
Grind, sand, or polish, using hand tools or hand-held power tools, a variety of metal, wood, stone, clay, plastic, or glass objects. Includes chippers, buffers, and finishers.
Also called: Buffer · Casting Finisher · Chipper · Finisher · Grinder · Jewelry Polisher
Median pay (national)
$41,690
$32,120–$57,250 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
11,850
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-21.2%
~800 openings/yr
Typical entry
No formal educational credential
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for grinding and polishing workers, hand shows a relatively narrow range: the top 10% earn $57,250 versus $32,120 at the bottom 10% — 1.8x. The median of $41,690 leaves roughly 37% 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 -21.2% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 800 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 35 states with released data, Minnesota pays the most for this role (median $50,550, +21% vs the national median), while Louisiana sits lowest at $32,120 — a 57% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Mathematics
- Learning Strategies
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Verify quality of finished workpieces by inspecting them, comparing them to templates, measuring their dimensions, or testing them in working machinery.
- Grind, sand, clean, or polish objects or parts to correct defects or to prepare surfaces for further finishing, using hand tools and power tools.
- Measure and mark equipment, objects, or parts to ensure grinding and polishing standards are met.
- Trim, scrape, or deburr objects or parts, using chisels, scrapers, and other hand tools and equipment.
- Mark defects, such as knotholes, cracks, and splits, for repair.
- Study blueprints or layouts to determine how to lay out workpieces or saw out templates.
- Move controls to adjust, start, or stop equipment during grinding and polishing processes.
- Transfer equipment, objects, or parts to specified work areas, using moving devices.
- Load and adjust workpieces onto equipment or work tables, using hand tools.
- Repair and maintain equipment, objects, or parts, using hand tools.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
- Engineering and Technology
- Administration and Management