Grinding and Polishing Workers
O*NET title: 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: Aircraft Skin Burnisher, Balance Wheel Arm Burnisher, Balance Wheel Hand Filer, Barrel Finisher, Beveler, Bit Shaver
Median pay
$42,660
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$33,480 – $60,810
People employed
10,510
Holland code
RCA
Realistic · Conventional · Artistic
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.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing 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 happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 5.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Long hours on your feet
Grinding and Polishing Workers pay by state
Annual median pay by state (40 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What grinding and polishing workers do
- 01Verify quality of finished workpieces by inspecting them, comparing them to templates, measuring their dimensions, or testing them in working machinery.
- 02Grind, sand, clean, or polish objects or parts to correct defects or to prepare surfaces for further finishing, using hand tools and power tools.
- 03Measure and mark equipment, objects, or parts to ensure grinding and polishing standards are met.
- 04Trim, scrape, or deburr objects or parts, using chisels, scrapers, and other hand tools and equipment.
- 05Mark defects, such as knotholes, cracks, and splits, for repair.
- 06Study blueprints or layouts to determine how to lay out workpieces or saw out templates.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Writing
Knowledge
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Education and Training
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
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: none.
- 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 grinding and polishing workers
- Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners90% · +17%
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing88% · +2%
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic88% · +9%
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic88% · +9%
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic86% · +24%
Change into grinding and polishing workers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood90% · $42,770
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic88% · $46,330
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic88% · $46,550
- Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders87% · $35,650
- Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners87% · $50,060