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.

Also called: Cell Operator, Centerless Grinder Operator, Deburrer, Die Maintenance Technician (Die Maintenance Tech), Finisher, Grinder, Grinder Operator, Grinding Machine Operator, Metal Finisher, Process Equipment Operator, Automatic Grinder Operator, Bench Grinder, Billet Grinder, Bit Grinder, Blade Grinder, Brass Buffer, Buffer, Bufferer, Buffing Line Set Up Worker, Buffing Machine Operator, Buffing Machine Tender, Centerless Grinder Setup Operator, Cylinder Grinder, Deburr Operator, Deburr Technician (Deburr Tech), Deburring and Tooling Machine Operator, Deburring Machine Operator, Deburring Technician (Deburring Tech), Disk Grinder, Drill Grinder, Emery Grinder, External Grinder, Fender Finisher, Finish Grinder, Flute Grinder, Flute Polisher, Gear Finisher, Gear Grinder, Gear Lapper, Gear Lapping Machine Operator, Gold Wheel Blocker and Polisher, Gold-Nib Grinder, Grinder Machine Operator, Grinder Machine Setter, Grinder Set Up Operator, Grinding Machine Tender, Jig Grinder Setup Operator, Knife Grinder, Lapper, Lapping Machine Operator, Lapping Machine Setup Operator, Machine Burrer, Machine Finisher, Machine Grinder, Magnetic Grinder Operator, Metal Buffer, Metal Burnisher, Metal Burrer, Metal Grinder, Metal Polisher, Polishing Machine Operator, Production Lapping Machine Operator, Roll Grinder, Roll Grinder Operator, Satin Finisher, Saw Grinder, Scissors Grinder, Scratch Brusher, Scratch Finisher, Shear Grinder Operator, Shot Grinder Operator, Silverware Buffing Machine Operator, Tool Polishing Machine Operator, Universal Grinder Operator

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Measure workpieces and lay out work, using precision measuring devices.
Inspect or measure finished workpieces to determine conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as gauges or micrometers.
Set and adjust machine controls according to product specifications, using knowledge of machine operation.
Observe machine operations to detect any problems, making necessary adjustments to correct problems.
Activate machine start-up switches to grind, lap, hone, debar, shear, or cut workpieces, according to specifications.
Study blueprints, work orders, or machining instructions to determine product specifications, tool requirements, and operational sequences.
Lift and position workpieces, manually or with hoists, and secure them in hoppers or on machine tables, faceplates, or chucks, using clamps.
Move machine controls to index workpieces, and to adjust machines for pre-selected operational settings.
Select machine tooling to be used, using knowledge of machine and production requirements.
Mount and position tools in machine chucks, spindles, or other tool holding devices, using hand tools.

Skills, machines and equipment

Operations Monitoring
Operation and Control
Quality Control Analysis
Reading Comprehension
Judgment and Decision Making
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Complex Problem Solving
Troubleshooting
Active Listening
Speaking
Coordination

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (87.20% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

39,390–54,290 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 51-4033.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Explore setup, CNC programming, precision tooling, or process-improvement responsibilities after demonstrating safe, accurate machining.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (87.20% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

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