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Mining and Quarrying
Rio Tinto, Newmont, Freeport-McMoRan
Home / All Jobs / Trades / Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
This job runs machines that crush, grind, or polish raw materials and finished parts to exact specifications. The work is distinct because you are constantly watching the machine, checking quality, and clearing jams before they become bigger problems. The tradeoff is that the job is hands-on and learnable without a degree, but it is also physical, repetitive, and tied to a job market that is shrinking slightly.
Also known as Crusher OperatorGrinding Machine OperatorPolishing Machine OperatorMachine TenderProduction Machine Operator
Median Salary
$46,890
Mean $49,400
U.S. Workforce
~29K
2.7K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-2.5%
28.7K to 27.9K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~29K workers, with a median annual pay of $46,890 and roughly 2.7K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 28.7 K in 2024 to 27.9K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High School Diploma or GED, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Entry-Level Production Helper and can progress toward Production Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, and Quality Control Analysis, paired with soft skills such as Attention to Detail, Communication with Supervisors, and Active Listening.
Core Responsibilities
- Watch machines as they run and step in quickly if the flow slows down, a part gets stuck, or the equipment starts acting strangely.
- Set up the machine for the right job by reading work orders and adjusting for the correct material, size, or finish.
- Measure or weigh materials and finished pieces at regular points so the output stays within spec.
- Move materials through the line by tending conveyors, pumps, and other support equipment that feed the machine.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Watch machines as they run and step in quickly if the flow slows down, a part gets stuck, or the equipment starts acting strangely.
02 Set up the machine for the right job by reading work orders and adjusting for the correct material, size, or finish.
03 Measure or weigh materials and finished pieces at regular points so the output stays within spec.
04 Move materials through the line by tending conveyors, pumps, and other support equipment that feed the machine.
05 Write down production counts, test results, and any problems so the next shift knows what happened.
06 Clean the work area, make minor adjustments, and clear jammed material from equipment using hand tools.
Industries That Hire
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Stone, Glass, and Ceramics Manufacturing
Corning, Owens Corning, Saint-Gobain
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Metals Production and Fabrication
Nucor, Alcoa, Cleveland-Cliffs
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Construction Materials
Vulcan Materials, Martin Marietta, Heidelberg Materials
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Abrasives and Surface Finishing
3M, Mirka, Carborundum Universal
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You can enter the field with a high school diploma or equivalent, and no prior work experience is typically required.
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The job is mostly hands-on, so it suits people who prefer physical work and clear, measurable output over desk work.
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Pay is solid for an accessible industrial role, with a median of $46,890 and a mean of $49,400.
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There are still about 2.7K annual openings, so replacement hiring remains steady even though overall employment is projected to dip.
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Moderate-term on-the-job training means you can learn the exact equipment and procedures after you are hired.
Challenges
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The long-term outlook is weak: employment is projected to fall 2.5%, or about 700 jobs, by 2034.
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The pay ceiling is limited for the amount of standing, lifting, and attention the job requires, especially compared with other skilled trades.
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The work can be noisy, dusty, and repetitive, and you often need to stay alert for long stretches to catch jams or defects.
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Safety risks are real because you are working around moving parts, heavy materials, and equipment that can pinch, crush, or jam.
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Automation and plant upgrades can reduce demand for operators who only do routine machine tending, which makes the role vulnerable over time.
Career Progression
Entry-Level Production Helper
0-1 years
$32K-$37K
You help feed materials, clean up the area, and learn how to spot problems before moving into a machine role.
Machine Operator
1-3 years
$37K-$44K
You run simpler equipment, keep production moving, and handle routine checks with close supervision.
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender THIS ROLE
3-7 years
$44K-$55K
You set up the machine, monitor output, make minor adjustments, and keep quality within spec on your own.
Lead Operator / Shift Lead
7-12 years
$55K-$67K
You coordinate the line, help troubleshoot equipment issues, and keep newer operators on track during a shift.
Production Supervisor
10+ years
$67K-$82K
You manage schedules, safety, output targets, and staffing across a full production area.
Education Paths
High School Diploma or GED
The most common entry point, held by 61.72% of workers in this role, is a high school diploma or equivalent plus employer training.
No Diploma / Learn on the Job
A noticeable share of workers, 19.39%, start with less than a high school diploma and build the needed skills on the plant floor.
Postsecondary Certificate in Manufacturing or Industrial Technology
A smaller path, held by 1.23% of workers, is a post-secondary certificate that helps with machine setup, measuring, and basic maintenance.
Moderate-Term On-the-Job Training
BLS says the typical training route is moderate-term on-the-job training, so many workers learn the specifics of the equipment after being hired.
Key Skills
Technical
Operations Monitoring 78%
Operation and Control 78%
Quality Control Analysis 62%
Monitoring Equipment, Gauges & Control Panels 62%
Measuring Tools, Scales & Calipers 60%
Production Records, Work Orders & Batch Logs 60%
Hand Tools, Basic Maintenance & Jam Clearing 55%
Soft Skills
Attention to DetailCommunication with SupervisorsActive ListeningCoordinationJudgment and Decision MakingReading Comprehension Job Outlook and Trends
+-2.5%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
2.7K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 28.7K to 27.9 K over the next decade, representing -2.5% growth. Around 2.7 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.