Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.
Is grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic a good career?
It scores 9/100 and ranks #736 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- No college degree typically required to enter
Possible tradeoffs
- Pays below the U.S. median wage ($46,550 vs $61,390)
- Employment is projected to decline (-12.0% through 2034)
What grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn between $39,390 and $54,290 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic jobs
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- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow decline through 2034.
Education
Although metal and plastic machine workers typically need a high school diploma, CNC tool programmers usually need coursework beyond high school. Some community colleges and other schools offer courses and certificate programs in operating metal and plastics machines including CNC programming.
For metal and plastic machine workers, high school classes in computer programming, math, and vocational technology may be useful.
Training
Machine operator trainees usually begin by watching and helping experienced workers on the job. Under supervision, they may supply materials, start and stop the machines, or remove finished products. Then, they advance to operators’ more difficult tasks, such as adjusting feeds and speeds, replacing tools, and measuring finished products for conformance. Eventually, some operators develop the skills and experience to set up machines.
The complexity of the equipment usually determines the time required to become an operator. Some operators and tenders are trained on basic machine operations and functions in a few months. Others, such as CNC tool operators, may need training for up to 1 year.
Because of the prevalence of computerized machines in manufacturing, training on computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and CNC equipment may be helpful.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
Certification can show competence and can be helpful for advancement.
Advancement
With skill and experience, workers may advance to positions that offer higher pay and more responsibility. It is common for machine operators to move into setup or machinery maintenance positions. Setup workers may become industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance workers, machinists, or tool and die makers.
Experienced workers with good communication and analytical skills may advance to supervisory positions.
Important qualities
Computer skills. Metal and plastic machine workers must be able to use programmable devices, computers, and robots on the factory floor.
Mechanical skills. These workers must be comfortable with machines and have a good understanding of how all the parts work.
Physical stamina. Metal and plastic machine workers must be able to stand for long periods and do repetitive tasks.
Physical strength. Metal and plastic machine workers must be able to secure and tighten heavy fixtures into place.
Related occupations
How much do grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make?
The national median wage is $46,550 a year, with the middle half earning between $39,390 and $54,290 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 9 of 100 and ranks #736 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change -12.0% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent.
Where do grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn the most?
Among states, Oregon pays the highest median ($57,290). Local pay for every state and metro is below.