Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — Job Outlook

Employment of grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is projected to decline +12.0% from 2024 to 2034. Employment in this occupation is expected to decline.

About 5,500 openings are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force.

The median annual wage for this occupation was $45,190 as of the latest data. About 70,110 people were employed in this role.