Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
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.
Also called: Cell Operator · Centerless Grinder Operator · Deburrer · Die Maintenance Technician · Finisher · Grinder
Median pay (national)
$45,190
$34,980–$61,550 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
70,110
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-12%
~5,500 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic shows a relatively narrow range: the top 10% earn $61,550 versus $34,980 at the bottom 10% — 1.8x. The median of $45,190 leaves roughly 36% 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 -12% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 5,500 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 49 states with released data, Missouri pays the most for this role (median $58,920, +30% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $26,230 — a 125% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Monitoring, Speaking 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.
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Mathematics
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- Set and adjust machine controls according to product specifications, using knowledge of machine operation.
- Brush or spray lubricating compounds on workpieces, or turn valve handles and direct flow of coolant against tools and workpieces.
Tools & technology
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Microsoft Windows
- SAP software
- Manufacturing reporting system
- Mazak Mazatrol SMART CNC
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
Knowledge areas
- Production and Processing
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Design
- Administrative