Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders
SOC Code: 51-9021Also known as:
Abrasive Grinder, Air Bag Buffer, Air Chipper, Automatic Blocker, Automatic Buffer
Median Annual Salary
$46,890
-2.5% growth (2024-2034)
3K
Openings/Year
29K
Current Jobs
What Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders Do
Set up, operate, or tend machines to crush, grind, or polish materials, such as coal, glass, grain, stone, food, or rubber.
💰 Salary
$46,890
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
-2.5%
Decline
🎓 Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
3K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
28,700
Projected Employment (2034)
27,900
Related Careers
Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners
$48,970 •
-7.8% growth
Grinding and polishing workers, hand
$41,690 •
-21.2% growth
Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders
$45,700 •
-2.3% growth
Machine feeders and offbearers
$39,700 •
-13.0% growth
Top Skills Required
Operations Monitoring
Operation and Control
Monitoring
Quality Control Analysis
Reading Comprehension
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Observe operation of equipment to ensure continuity of flow, safety, and efficient operation, and to detect malfunctions.
- Clean, adjust, and maintain equipment, using hand tools.
- Tend accessory equipment, such as pumps and conveyors, to move materials or ingredients through production processes.
- Move controls to start, stop, or adjust machinery and equipment that crushes, grinds, polishes, or blends materials.
- Notify supervisors of needed repairs.
- Weigh or measure materials, ingredients, or products at specified intervals to ensure conformance to requirements.
- Record data from operations, testing, and production on specified forms.
- Reject defective products and readjust equipment to eliminate problems.
- Inspect chains, belts, or scrolls for signs of wear.
- Clean work areas.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
High School Diploma
O*NET recommended level
College Rankings
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders make?
The median annual salary for crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders is $46,890.
What education do crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders need?
Most crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Is becoming crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders a good career choice?
Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders is projected to see -2.5% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which reflects some decline in the field. With approximately 2,700 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders?
The best colleges offer strong programs in related fields with experienced faculty and industry connections.
What other job titles are similar to crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders?
Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders may also be known as: Abrasive Grinder, Air Bag Buffer, Air Chipper, Automatic Blocker, Automatic Buffer, Automatic Corn Grinder Operator, Automatic Grinding Machine Operator, Automatic Pattern Edger, Back Grinder, Ball Truing Machine Operator, Bark Grinder, Barytes Grinder, Beater Engineer, Bed Rubber, Beveler, Beveler Operator, Beveling and Edging Machine Operator, Beveling Machine Operator, Billet Sawyer, Bin Operator.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.