Grind, sand, or polish, using hand tools or hand-held power tools, a variety of metal, wood, stone, clay, plastic, or glass objects. Includes chippers, buffers, and finishers.
SOC: 51-9022.00
Common Job Titles
Chipper
Finisher
Grinder
Polisher
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generated
Key competencies for this occupation at a glance
Hands-onPerform grinding, sanding, and polishing operations on metal, wood, stone, clay, plastic, and glass objects using hand tools and hand-held power tools such as angle grinders, belt sanders, and orbital buffers.
Developing
Hands-onOperate hand-held power equipment including air grinders, electric sander-polishers, and buffing wheels to achieve desired surface finishes and tolerances on diverse materials.
Developing
KnowledgeAssess surface quality and dimensional compliance of finished workpieces using precision measuring instruments such as digital micrometers, dial indicators, and dial bore gauges.
Developing
Hands-onManipulate abrasive materials and finishing tools to control surface texture and achieve specified finish quality standards.
Developing
KnowledgeDemonstrate operations monitoring of grinding and polishing processes to identify defects, adjust techniques, and maintain consistent product quality.
Developing
Hands-onExecute equipment maintenance and basic repair tasks on hand tools and power equipment to ensure optimal performance and safety.
Developing
KnowledgeApply troubleshooting procedures to diagnose and resolve equipment malfunctions and process irregularities.
Developing
KnowledgeInterpret work orders, technical specifications, and production standards to determine appropriate finishing methods and quality criteria.
Developing
MindsetEngage in effective communication with supervisors and team members to coordinate workflow, report quality issues, and share process improvements.
Developing
KnowledgeChoose appropriate abrasives, polishing compounds, and tool configurations based on material type, desired finish, and production requirements.
Developing
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
11,850
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $32,120. 25th percentile: U.S. $36,660. 50th percentile: U.S. $41,690. 75th percentile: U.S. $48,410. 90th percentile: U.S. $57,250. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
U.S.
Metric
U.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less
$32,120
10% of workers earn the following or more
$57,250
Workers on average earn
$43,550
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
Production and Processing3.6/5
Mechanical3.6/5
English Language3.1/5
Mathematics2.8/5
Education and Training2.7/5
Skills & Requirements: Knowledge
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
