Description

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.

Interests

Realistic
Conventional

Learn More about Interests

Work Values

Support
Relationships
Independence

Learn More about Work Values

Work Styles

Attention to Detail
Dependability
Self-Control
Cooperation
Integrity

Learn More about Work Styles

Tasks

Inspect or measure finished workpieces to determine conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as gauges or micrometers.
Measure workpieces and lay out work, using precision measuring devices.
Observe machine operations to detect any problems, making necessary adjustments to correct problems.
Move machine controls to index workpieces, and to adjust machines for pre-selected operational settings.
Study blueprints, work orders, or machining instructions to determine product specifications, tool requirements, and operational sequences.

Work Activities

Controlling Machines and Processes
Handling and Moving Objects
Documenting/Recording Information
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Detailed Work Activities

Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Technology Skills

Spreadsheet software
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Office suite software
Operating system software
Computer aided design CAD software

Abilities

Control Precision
Manual Dexterity
Near Vision
Problem Sensitivity
Reaction Time

Skills

Operation and Control
Operations Monitoring
Quality Control Analysis
Monitoring
Reading Comprehension

Knowledge

Production and Processing

Most Common Education Level

The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.

Certificates

These are the certification(s) applicable to Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Certificate name

Machining Level I - Grinding I

Certifying Organization

National Institute for Metalworking Skills

Type

Core

Certificate name

Los Angeles Certified Welder

Certifying Organization

Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety

Type

Core

Certificate name

Machining Level I - CNC Mill Operations

Certifying Organization

National Institute for Metalworking Skills

Type

Core

Certificate name

Machining Level I - CNC Turning: Operations

Certifying Organization

National Institute for Metalworking Skills

Type

Core

Certificate name

Machining Level II - Grinding Skills II

Certifying Organization

National Institute for Metalworking Skills

Type

Advanced

Certificate name	Certifying Organization	Type
Machining Level I - Grinding I	National Institute for Metalworking Skills	Core
Los Angeles Certified Welder	Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety	Core
Machining Level I - CNC Mill Operations	National Institute for Metalworking Skills	Core
Machining Level I - CNC Turning: Operations	National Institute for Metalworking Skills	Core
Machining Level II - Grinding Skills II	National Institute for Metalworking Skills	Advanced

Income Percentile

The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.

Income Percentile	Annual Income
Low (10%)	$37,725
Median (50%)	$43,717
High (90%)	$56,731

Income by Experience

This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).

Experience	Income
Entry Level	$44,421
Mid Level	$53,539
Senior Level	$57,134
Expert Level	N/A

Employability

There are currently 76,300 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to decrease to 68,100 positions, reflecting a projected decline of -11%.

The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.

Projected Job Growth of -11%

Related Careers

Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Median Annual Income

$38,963

Projected Job Growth

-8 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate, or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of material.

RealisticConventional

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Median Annual Income

$44,054

Projected Job Growth

-11 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.

RealisticConventional

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Median Annual Income

$49,634

Projected Job Growth

-11 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.

RealisticConventional

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Median Annual Income

$42,370

Projected Job Growth

-13 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.

RealisticConventional

Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Median Annual Income

$41,559

Projected Job Growth

+2 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Set up, operate, or tend more than one type of cutting or forming machine tool or robot.

RealisticConventional

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners

Median Annual Income

$44,806

Projected Job Growth

-8 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Perform precision smoothing, sharpening, polishing, or grinding of metal objects.

RealisticConventional

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Median Annual Income

$38,516

Projected Job Growth

-2 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Set up, operate, or tend woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, and wood nailing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment.

RealisticConventional

Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Median Annual Income

$41,406

Projected Job Growth

-1 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Set up, operate, or tend machines to crush, grind, or polish materials, such as coal, glass, grain, stone, food, or rubber.

RealisticConventional

Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand

Median Annual Income

$43,709

Projected Job Growth

-18 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

No formal educational credential

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RealisticConventional

Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Median Annual Income

$39,901

Projected Job Growth

-3 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.

RealisticConventional

The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.