Career overview

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

O*NET-SOC 51-4033.00

Median pay / yr$45,190

OutlookBelow Average

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.

What it takes

The skills, knowledge, and credentials employers look for in Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic.

Skills employers look for

Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operations MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Knowledge areas

Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.