Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Also called: Crushing and Polishing Machine Operators
Set up, operate, or tend machines to crush, grind, or polish materials, such as coal, glass, grain, stone, food, or rubber.
Also called: Abrasive Grinder, Air Bag Buffer, Air Chipper, Automatic Blocker, Automatic Buffer, Automatic Corn Grinder Operator
Median pay
$48,540
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$36,520 – $69,240
People employed
26,000
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 2.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 3.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 4.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 5.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 6.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
The hard parts
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
- Long hours on your feet
- Tight deadlines are common
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders pay by state
Annual median pay by state (47 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in every state →
What crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders do
- 01Observe operation of equipment to ensure continuity of flow, safety, and efficient operation, and to detect malfunctions.
- 02Clean, adjust, and maintain equipment, using hand tools.
- 03Tend accessory equipment, such as pumps and conveyors, to move materials or ingredients through production processes.
- 04Move controls to start, stop, or adjust machinery and equipment that crushes, grinds, polishes, or blends materials.
- 05Notify supervisors of needed repairs.
- 06Weigh or measure materials, ingredients, or products at specified intervals to ensure conformance to requirements.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
Knowledge
- Administration and Management
- Production and Processing
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Public Safety and Security
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders
- Machine Feeders and Offbearers88% · −15%
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic87% · −4%
- Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic86% · +3%
- Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners85% · +3%
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic82% · +9%
Change into crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Machine Feeders and Offbearers88% · $41,220
- Food Batchmakers85% · $42,290
- Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders85% · $38,180
- Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders84% · $44,810
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic84% · $46,550