Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
SOC Code: 51-4033
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics inspect or measure finished workpieces to determine conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as gauges or micrometers. This career typically requires moderate-term on-the-job training (months to 1 year). With an AI-proof score of 74.8/100, this role has high resilience to automation. Key skills include Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Operations Monitoring.
AI-Proof Score: 74.8 — High
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Median Salary
$45,190
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Job Growth
-12.0%
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Training Time
Moderate-term on-the-job training (months to 1 year)
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Job Zone
Zone 2 / 5
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Training Cost
~$5,000
Key Skills
- •Operation and Control
- •Operations Monitoring
- •Quality Control Analysis
- •Reading Comprehension
- •Monitoring
- •Speaking
- •Mathematics
Common Tasks
- ✓Inspect or measure finished workpieces to determine conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as gauges or micrometers.
- ✓Measure workpieces and lay out work, using precision measuring devices.
- ✓Observe machine operations to detect any problems, making necessary adjustments to correct problems.
- ✓Move machine controls to index workpieces, and to adjust machines for pre-selected operational settings.
- ✓Study blueprints, work orders, or machining instructions to determine product specifications, tool requirements, and operational sequences.
Training & Resources
Why AI-Proof?
- ✅Requires hands-on physical presence and dexterity
- ✅Demands human empathy, judgment, and trust
- ✅Operates in unpredictable, variable environments
- ✅Social and regulatory barriers to full automation