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Production · Usually needs a high school diploma

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Also called: Grinding and Buffing Machine Tool Operators

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: Automatic Grinder Operator, Bench Grinder, Billet Grinder, Bit Grinder, Blade Grinder, Brass Buffer

Is this career right for me?

Median pay

$46,550

per year, U.S.

Pay range (10th–90th)

$36,110 – $62,600

People employed

67,000

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. 1.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
  2. 2.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
  3. 3.Do you prefer working indoors?
  4. 4.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?

The hard parts

  • Long hours on your feet

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay by state

Highest-paying states

Oregon$57,290
Minnesota$51,780
Massachusetts$50,910
Vermont$50,640
West Virginia$49,950

Lowest-paying states

New Mexico$38,020
Alabama$38,170
Oklahoma$38,570

Annual median pay by state (48 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in every state →

What grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do

  1. 01Measure workpieces and lay out work, using precision measuring devices.
  2. 02Inspect or measure finished workpieces to determine conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as gauges or micrometers.
  3. 03Set and adjust machine controls according to product specifications, using knowledge of machine operation.
  4. 04Observe machine operations to detect any problems, making necessary adjustments to correct problems.
  5. 05Activate machine start-up switches to grind, lap, hone, debar, shear, or cut workpieces, according to specifications.
  6. 06Study blueprints, work orders, or machining instructions to determine product specifications, tool requirements, and operational sequences.

Skills that matter most

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Monitoring
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Active Learning

Knowledge

  • Production and Processing
  • Mechanical
  • Mathematics
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Administration and Management

Work styles that stand out

  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail

Education and first steps

O*NET has no education survey data for this job.

How people get started

  • Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
  • Related work experience: none.
  • On-the-job training: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.

Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.

Interest fit (Holland code)

Realistic7.00
Investigative2.14
Artistic1.18
Social1.00
Enterprising1.00
Conventional3.91

O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.

Career changes

Change from grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

See all jobs for former grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic →

Change into grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).

Jobs similar to grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic →

Majors that lead here

  • Machine Tool Technology/Machinist
  • Machine Shop Technology/Assistant

From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.

Free help near you

You can get free career counseling, job search help and, if you qualify, help paying for training through American Job Centers, which are funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Find an American Job CenterFind training programs

Links go to CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Keep exploring

Sources. O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0): description, tasks, skills, knowledge, work styles, education, interests and work context. Pay and employment: BLS OEWS May 2025 (national and state). Majors: NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Data Sources & Licenses