Occupation Details for 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.

Below are the top interests required for a person in this occupation.

Below are the top work values required for a person in this occupation.

The list below outlines occupation specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.

Duties are job behaviors, describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.

This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.

The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.

* Skill importance is measured on a five point scale, where one means 'slightly important for this occupation' and five means 'extremely important for this occupation'.

* Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.

The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.

* Knowledge importance is measured on a five point scale, where one means 'slightly important for this occupation' and five means 'extremely important for this occupation'.

* Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.

The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.

* Work Contexts are measured by how important the factor is to this occupation, where one is 'not important' and five is 'very important'.

Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.

* Work Styles are measured by how important the style is to this occupation, where one is 'not important' and five is 'very important'.

The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.

The following table lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.

Click the Search Colleges link to find undergraduate and graduate programs associated with this occupation. Further education may also be required to pursue this career.

Click the Search Training link to find short-term and long-term training programs associated with this occupation. Training programs may be more appropriate for adult and non-traditional students. Further training may also be required to pursue this career.

• Nationally, the average annual wage for this occupation is:
  $ 26,920 for entry level workers and $ 42,130 for experienced workers.


• In New York State, the average annual wage for this occupation is:
  $ 26,970 for entry level workers and $ 44,220 for experienced workers.

• Nationally, during 2016, there were approximately 76,200 employed. Of these, 2.6 % were self employed.
  We estimate that in 2026 there will be 68,300 employed nationally. This represents an increase of -780 job(s) each year, and a total of 6,820 job opening(s) each year.


• In New York State based on the total number of annual openings and its growth rate, employment prospects for this occupation are described as Least Favorable.
  During 2016, there were approximately 2,170 employed in New York State.
  We estimate that in 2026 there will be 2,010 employed in New York State. This represents an increase of -20 job(s) each year, and a total of 200 job opening(s) each year.

More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.

While apprenticeships are associated with this occupation, there are currently no apprenticeship opportunities available in your region. Click here to search for other kinds of apprenticeship opportunities statewide.

More information on similar jobs may be found in the links provided below.

The following table contains the list of current job openings which are related to this occupation.