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Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Production · SOC 51-4033
0.0% AI Exposure — Low
$46,550
Median Annual Salary
Average
O*NET Outlook
7,400
Proj. Annual Openings
67,000
Employment (OEWS 2025)
100/100
AI Resiliency Score
AI exposure from the Anthropic Economic Index (2025); salary from BLS; skills from O*NET. See /sources.
AI Exposure Analysis
AI Exposure0.0%
AI Resiliency100/100
Exposure BandLow
Sector Avg. Exposure0.8%
Top Skills
1.Operations Monitoring
2.Operation and Control
3.Quality Control Analysis
4.Reading Comprehension
5.Monitoring
O*NET occupation profile
What this work involves
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.
Common titles: Cell Operator, Centerless Grinder Operator, Deburrer, Die Maintenance Technician, Finisher, Grinder
Representative 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.
Detailed Work Activities
- •Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
- •Lay out parts to prepare for assembly.
- •Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.
- •Operate grinding equipment.
- •Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
Tools & Technologies
Autodesk AutoCAD · hotMicrosoft Excel · hotMicrosoft Office software · hotMicrosoft Windows · hotSAP software · hot
Employment Projections & AI Exposure
15
Occupations Shown
0.5%
Avg AI Exposure
1
Bright Outlook
Sector Comparison
| Metric | This Career | Sector Average |
|---|---|---|
| AI Exposure | 0.0% | 0.8% |
| Outlook | Average | 4% Bright |
| Median Salary | $46,550 | N/A |
| AI Resiliency | 100/100 | N/A |