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.
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
SOC: 51-4033 O*NET: 51-4033.00
Median Salary
$45,190
per year
Job Growth
📉 -12%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
5.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$34,980
10th percentile
Early Career
$38,420
25th percentile
Median
$45,190
50th percentile
Experienced
$51,380
75th percentile
Top Earners
$61,550
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$34,980
25th
$38,420
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$45,190
Mean: $46,600
75th
$51,380
90th
$61,550
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $26,570 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $38,420 and $51,380
- •Salary spread is 28.7% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 70,110 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:70,100
Top Industries
Manufacturing96.1%
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing39.7%
Primary Metal Manufacturing15.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-12%
Annual Openings:5,500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)70,100
Current
2034 (Projected)61,700
-12%
-8,400
Employment Change
-12%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 48 locations
California
7,800 jobs$45,6400.95x
Ohio
5,760 jobs$41,4202.29x
Illinois
5,100 jobs$45,9701.85x
Michigan
4,670 jobs$41,6002.34x
Indiana
4,590 jobs$44,6103.17x
Pennsylvania
4,280 jobs$45,5501.57x
Wisconsin
3,430 jobs$46,5702.58x
Texas
3,050 jobs$39,0000.48x
Massachusetts
2,330 jobs$48,6901.40x
New York
2,320 jobs$45,9100.53x
Washington
2,080 jobs$47,5501.29x
South Carolina
2,020 jobs$48,2101.95x
North Carolina
1,820 jobs$47,4700.82x
Alabama
1,580 jobs$38,9101.66x
Connecticut
1,520 jobs$47,4801.99x
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
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Operation and Control
92%
#3
Quality Control Analysis
86%
#4
Reading Comprehension
78%
#5
Monitoring
70%
#6
Critical Thinking
62%
#7
Speaking
56%
#8
Judgment and Decision Making
48%
#9
Troubleshooting
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.6
92%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate4.3
86%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.9
78%
Monitoring
intermediate3.5
70%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.1
62%
Speaking
basic2.8
56%
Judgment and Decision Making
basic2.4
48%
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:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance78%
abilities
3.9/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance62%
abilities
3.1/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance56%
skills
2.8/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance48%
abilities
2.4/5.0
Troubleshooting
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders80%
5 shared skills
Power Plant Operators73%
5 shared skills
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders73%
5 shared skills
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic73%
5 shared skills
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders73%
5 shared skills
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators73%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Quality Control Analysis
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Reading Comprehension
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, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
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
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Excel
📚 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
SOME 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 some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
18
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (14)Operations & Execution (1)Training & Development (1)Management & Supervision (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Inspect or measure finished workpieces to determine conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as gauges or micrometers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Lift and position workpieces, manually or with hoists, and secure them in hoppers or on machine tables, faceplates, or chucks, using clamps.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
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 workpieces.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution94% perform96%
4
Observe machine operations to detect any problems, making necessary adjustments to correct problems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Set and adjust machine controls according to product specifications, using knowledge of machine operation.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Measure workpieces and lay out work, using precision measuring devices.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Select machine tooling to be used, using knowledge of machine and production requirements.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Study blueprints, work orders, or machining instructions to determine product specifications, tool requirements, and operational sequences.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development79% perform86%
9
Mount and position tools in machine chucks, spindles, or other tool holding devices, using hand tools.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Activate machine start-up switches to grind, lap, hone, debar, shear, or cut workpieces, according to specifications.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •39% 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, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
💡 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, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.15
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.00
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.85
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.78
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.63
Achievement/Effort
ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level3.57
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.2
Dependability
4.0
Self-Control
3.9
Cooperation
3.8
Integrity
3.6
Achievement/Effort
3.6
Adaptability/Flexibility
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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