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.
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
SOC: 51-9022 O*NET: 51-9022.00
Median Salary
$41,690
per year
Job Growth
📉 -21.2%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$32,120
10th percentile
Early Career
$36,660
25th percentile
Median
$41,690
50th percentile
Experienced
$48,410
75th percentile
Top Earners
$57,250
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$32,120
25th
$36,660
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$41,690
Mean: $43,550
75th
$48,410
90th
$57,250
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $25,130 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $36,660 and $48,410
- •Salary spread is 28.2% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 11,850 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:11,800
Top Industries
Manufacturing84.5%
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing20.3%
Miscellaneous Manufacturing12.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-21.2%
Annual Openings:800
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)11,800
Current
2034 (Projected)9,300
-21.2%
-2,500
Employment Change
-21.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 35 locations
California
2,310 jobs$43,1701.67x
Texas
780 jobs$37,8700.73x
Indiana
710 jobs$39,1102.88x
Florida
610 jobs$38,4700.81x
New York
570 jobs$45,7600.78x
Ohio
490 jobs$43,4301.16x
Michigan
470 jobs$41,3301.38x
Virginia
470 jobs$38,9201.51x
North Carolina
440 jobs$37,7501.18x
Washington
370 jobs$46,2501.34x
New Jersey
340 jobs$41,6101.04x
Georgia
320 jobs$38,7100.85x
Pennsylvania
290 jobs$39,4300.63x
South Carolina
280 jobs$40,7901.59x
Arizona
250 jobs$42,5701.03x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Quality Control Analysis
100%
#2
Operations Monitoring
86%
#3
Operation and Control
70%
#4
Equipment Maintenance
56%
#5
Repairing
40%
Skills Overview
Quality Control Analysis
advanced5.0
100%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Operation and Control
intermediate3.5
70%
Equipment Maintenance
basic2.8
56%
Repairing
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Quality Control Analysis
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Operation and Control
intermediateImportance70%
abilities
3.5/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
basicImportance56%
skills
2.8/5.0
Repairing
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders83%
5 shared skills
Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers83%
5 shared skills
Agricultural Equipment Operators71%
5 shared skills
Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons67%
4 shared skills
Rail Car Repairers56%
5 shared skills
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners56%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Equipment Maintenance
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
- ✓Operations Monitoring
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Quality Control Analysis
- ★Operation and Control
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
17
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)General Responsibilities (14)
1
Grind, sand, clean, or polish objects or parts to correct defects or to prepare surfaces for further finishing, using hand tools and power tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Mark defects, such as knotholes, cracks, and splits, for repair.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Move controls to adjust, start, or stop equipment during grinding and polishing processes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Select files or other abrasives, according to materials, sizes and shapes of workpieces, amount of stock to be removed, finishes specified, and steps in finishing processes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Measure and mark equipment, objects, or parts to ensure grinding and polishing standards are met.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Verify quality of finished workpieces by inspecting them, comparing them to templates, measuring their dimensions, or testing them in working machinery.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Record product and processing data on specified forms.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Trim, scrape, or deburr objects or parts, using chisels, scrapers, and other hand tools and equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Remove completed workpieces from equipment or work tables, using hand tools, and place workpieces in containers.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Load and adjust workpieces onto equipment or work tables, using hand tools.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •41% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand professionals typically have a RCA Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
AArtistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.50
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.35
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.16
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.87
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level3.74
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.73
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.5
Dependability
4.3
Integrity
4.2
Independence
3.9
Stress Tolerance
3.7
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.7
Self-Control
3.6
Cooperation
3.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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