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Automotive manufacturing
Ford, General Motors, Magna
Home / All Jobs / Trades / Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
These workers set up and run machines that grind, lap, polish, buff, or hone metal and plastic parts to exact dimensions and surface finishes. The job stands out for its focus on precision: a good shift means constant measuring, small adjustments, and catching problems before they turn into scrap. The tradeoff is that the work can be repetitive and physically demanding, and the long-term outlook is weaker than many other skilled production jobs.
Also known as Grinding Machine OperatorSurface Grinder OperatorPrecision Grinder OperatorGrinding Machine SetterMachine Grinder
Median Salary
$45,190
Mean $46,600
U.S. Workforce
~70K
5.5K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-12%
70.1K to 61.7K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 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 ~70K workers, with a median annual pay of $45,190 and roughly 5.5K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 70.1 K in 2024 to 61.7K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Machine Operator Trainee and can progress toward Lead Setter / Shift Lead. High-value skills usually include Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, and Precision Measuring Tools, Micrometers & Gauges, paired with soft skills such as Attention to detail, Problem-solving, and Critical thinking.
Core Responsibilities
- Set up the grinding machine with the right tools and operating settings for the part being made.
- Load raw or unfinished pieces onto the machine and clamp them in place so they stay secure.
- Apply coolant or lubricants while the machine is running to keep tools and parts from overheating.
- Watch the machine as it works and make small adjustments if the cut starts drifting off spec.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Set up the grinding machine with the right tools and operating settings for the part being made.
02 Load raw or unfinished pieces onto the machine and clamp them in place so they stay secure.
03 Apply coolant or lubricants while the machine is running to keep tools and parts from overheating.
04 Watch the machine as it works and make small adjustments if the cut starts drifting off spec.
05 Measure finished parts with gauges, micrometers, and similar tools to check that they match the blueprint.
06 Inspect the surface and size of each part, then separate anything that does not meet requirements.
Industries That Hire
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Aerospace and defense
Boeing, RTX, Lockheed Martin
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Medical device manufacturing
Medtronic, Stryker, Johnson & Johnson
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Industrial machinery
Caterpillar, John Deere, Cummins
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Plastics and consumer products
3M, Berry Global, DuPont
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You can usually get started with a high school diploma, and the role does not require prior work experience.
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Pay is decent for an accessible manufacturing job, with a median of $45,190 and a mean of $46,600 a year.
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There are still about 5.5 thousand annual openings, so people do move in and out of the field even as the workforce shrinks.
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The work is concrete and measurable: parts either meet the tolerance or they do not, which appeals to people who like clear standards.
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Skills with machine controls, gauges, and quality checks can help you move into machinist, inspector, or setup work later.
Challenges
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The long-term trend is negative: employment is projected to fall 12% from 70.1 thousand to 61.7 thousand by 2034.
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The work is repetitive and physical, with plenty of lifting, loading, standing, and handling parts throughout the shift.
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The pay ceiling is fairly modest for skilled production work, especially compared with trades that lead more easily into higher-paid maintenance or technical roles.
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Automation and CNC equipment can reduce the need for hands-on grinding, buffing, and polishing operators over time.
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Mistakes are expensive because tight tolerances leave little room for error, so a wrong setting can mean scrap, rework, and pressure from supervisors.
Career Progression
Machine Operator Trainee
0-1 years
$30K-$36K
Learns safety rules, part handling, and basic machine setup while working under close supervision.
Grinding Machine Operator
1-4 years
$38K-$49K
Runs the machine, loads parts, makes small adjustments, and checks finished pieces against specs.
Senior Grinder / Set-Up Operator THIS ROLE
4-8 years
$50K-$60K
Handles more complex parts, sets up equipment for new runs, and helps catch quality problems early.
Lead Setter / Shift Lead
8+ years
$61K-$72K
Oversees a small group, troubleshoots equipment issues, and keeps production moving without losing precision.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
The most common entry point, held by 80.11% of workers in this role.
Post-secondary certificate in machining or precision manufacturing
A common alternative, held by 14.28% of workers in this role.
Some college courses in manufacturing or machine tool technology
A smaller share of workers, held by 4.2% of workers in this role.
Employer training or a short machining certificate
Not reflected in the education split, but many employers will train new hires through moderate-term on-the-job training.
Key Skills
Technical
Operation and Control 75%
Operations Monitoring 75%
Precision Measuring Tools, Micrometers & Gauges 68%
CNC Grinding Machines & Machine Setup 66%
Quality Control Analysis 63%
Blueprint and Specification Reading 53%
Soft Skills
Attention to detailProblem-solvingCritical thinkingPatienceCommunicationHand-eye coordination Job Outlook and Trends
+-12%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
5.5K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 70.1K to 61.7 K over the next decade, representing -12% growth. Around 5.5 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.