Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
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.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic to decrease by -10.8% between 2024 and 2034, from 68,500 to 61,100 jobs. Its estimate of 4,500 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($46,550), education (High school diploma or equivalent), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
68,500
Projected employment (2034)
61,100
Projected change (2024–2034)
-11%
Annual openings (projected average)
4,500
Pay & Preparation
$46,550
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Essential Skills
Operations Monitoring (4/5) • Operation and Control (4/5) • Quality Control Analysis (3.12/5) • Judgment and Decision Making (3/5) • Reading Comprehension (3/5) • Complex Problem Solving (2.88/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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