Production
Grinding and polishing workers, hand
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.
Median pay
$42,660
Growth to 2035
−19%
declining
Openings a year
700
Time to qualify*
6 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Grinding and polishing workers, hand
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- No formal educational credential
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to grinding and polishing workers, hand
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Grinding and polishing workers, hand: 40% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Verify quality of finished workpieces by inspecting them, comparing them to templates, measuring their dimensions, or testing them in working machinery.
- Grind, sand, clean, or polish objects or parts to correct defects or to prepare surfaces for further finishing, using hand tools and power tools.
- Measure and mark equipment, objects, or parts to ensure grinding and polishing standards are met.
- Trim, scrape, or deburr objects or parts, using chisels, scrapers, and other hand tools and equipment.
- Mark defects, such as knotholes, cracks, and splits, for repair.
- Study blueprints or layouts to determine how to lay out workpieces or saw out templates.
- Move controls to adjust, start, or stop equipment during grinding and polishing processes.
- Load and adjust workpieces onto equipment or work tables, using hand tools.
Also called: Buffer · Casting Finisher · Chipper · Finisher · Grinder · Jewelry Polisher · Knife Grinder · Metal Finisher
Outlook and AI
Grinding and polishing workers, hand held 10,800 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 8,700 by 2035 (−19%, declining; all jobs: +3.5%).
Capital/labor substitution - share decreases as automation increases capacity and reduces the need for as many manual workers.
Compare with
- Grinding and polishing workers, hand vs. Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
- Grinding and polishing workers, hand vs. Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners
- Grinding and polishing workers, hand vs. Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing
- Grinding and polishing workers, hand vs. Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders
- Grinding and polishing workers, hand vs. Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic
- Grinding and polishing workers, hand vs. Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
- Grinding and polishing workers, hand vs. Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
- Grinding and polishing workers, hand vs. Tool and die makers
- Grinding and polishing workers, hand vs. Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
- Grinding and polishing workers, hand vs. Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders