Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic work pieces.
- O*NET-SOC code
51-4033.00 - Preparation Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Wages
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $36,110 | $39,390 | $46,550 | $54,290 | $62,600 |
By state (48)
| State | Employment | Median annual | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1,500 | $38,170 | 1.65 |
| Arizona | 670 | $44,990 | 0.48 |
| Arkansas | 340 | $39,590 | 0.61 |
| California | 7,800 | $45,890 | 0.99 |
| Colorado | 500 | $46,120 | 0.40 |
| Connecticut | 1,530 | $48,590 | 2.09 |
| Delaware | 50 | $44,390 | 0.25 |
| Florida | 1,020 | $40,310 | 0.24 |
| Georgia | 940 | $45,850 | 0.45 |
| Idaho | 170 | $45,980 | 0.47 |
| Illinois | 4,100 | $46,180 | 1.56 |
| Indiana | 4,170 | $47,310 | 3.02 |
| Iowa | 890 | $46,380 | 1.32 |
| Kansas | 1,010 | $42,710 | 1.64 |
| Kentucky | 850 | $49,160 | 0.99 |
| Louisiana | 160 | $38,650 | 0.19 |
| Maine | 170 | $47,230 | 0.62 |
| Maryland | 160 | $43,530 | 0.14 |
| Massachusetts | 2,420 | $50,910 | 1.54 |
| Michigan | 4,180 | $45,460 | 2.20 |
| Minnesota | 1,400 | $51,780 | 1.10 |
| Mississippi | 430 | $42,660 | 0.86 |
| Missouri | 1,210 | $46,270 | 0.96 |
| Montana | 160 | $41,740 | 0.71 |
| Nebraska | 300 | $48,500 | 0.67 |
| Nevada | 170 | $46,140 | 0.26 |
| New Hampshire | 600 | $46,580 | 2.03 |
| New Jersey | 860 | $44,450 | 0.46 |
| New Mexico | 30 | $38,020 | 0.09 |
| New York | 2,410 | $49,290 | 0.58 |
| North Carolina | 1,610 | $47,770 | 0.76 |
| North Dakota | $47,670 | ||
| Ohio | 5,960 | $45,270 | 2.49 |
| Oklahoma | 870 | $38,570 | 1.18 |
| Oregon | 1,180 | $57,290 | 1.40 |
| Pennsylvania | 3,830 | $47,650 | 1.47 |
| Rhode Island | 140 | $43,650 | 0.65 |
| South Carolina | 1,730 | $48,040 | 1.74 |
| South Dakota | 130 | $39,060 | 0.66 |
| Tennessee | 1,340 | $44,710 | 0.95 |
| Texas | 2,960 | $42,250 | 0.49 |
| Utah | 400 | $44,320 | 0.54 |
| Vermont | 300 | $50,640 | 2.27 |
| Virginia | 620 | $43,170 | 0.35 |
| Washington | 1,870 | $49,300 | 1.22 |
| West Virginia | 200 | $49,950 | 0.68 |
| Wisconsin | 3,570 | $47,330 | 2.82 |
| Wyoming | 30 | $46,800 | 0.28 |
Similar occupations
Similarity is our measure: the cosine of importance x level over all 120 O*NET skills, knowledge areas and abilities. It is not an O*NET finding. More.
Circles are the 20 most similar occupations, coloured by Job Zone. Lines join pairs where one is among the other's 10 most similar; darker lines are pairs O*NET also lists as related. Drag a circle to move it out of the way; select one to open it.
One skill away
Among the 50 occupations most similar to Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, those at the same Job Zone or lower, where exactly one skill rated at least 3 in importance needs a level more than 0.75 points higher (on O*NET's 0-7 level scale). Our definition. Change the thresholds.
| Occupation | Skill to build | Level gap | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators | Critical Thinking | 0.87 | 0.970 |
| Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Active Learning | 0.88 | 0.969 |
| Wellhead Pumpers | Repairing | 1.37 | 0.955 |
| Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders | Active Learning | 1.00 | 0.951 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | Writing | 0.88 | 0.949 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | Writing | 1.00 | 0.947 |
Software to learn next
Software used by at least 3 of the 20 occupations most similar to Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, excluding software Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic already lists and any you named. Ranked by how many of them use it, weighted by how much more common it is among them than across all occupations (lift). Our ranking.
| Software | Similar jobs using it | Lift |
|---|---|---|
| M-code | 3 of 20 | 34.6x |
| Vero Software Edgecam | 3 of 20 | 34.6x |
| G-code | 3 of 20 | 19.8x |
| Operational databases | 3 of 20 | 11.5x |
| Dassault Systemes SolidWorks | 3 of 20 | 2.4x |
| Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software | 3 of 20 | 2.2x |
| Microsoft Outlook | 12 of 20 | 0.9x |
| Microsoft Word | 15 of 20 | 0.9x |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 5 of 20 | 0.4x |
Skills
From O*NET data. Importance is rated 1 to 5 and level 0 to 7.
| Skill | Type | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operation and Control | Transferable skill | 4.00 | 3.88 |
| Operations Monitoring | Transferable skill | 4.00 | 3.75 |
| Quality Control Analysis | Transferable skill | 3.12 | 3.38 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 2.75 |
| Reading Comprehension | Essential skill | 3.00 | 2.62 |
| Monitoring | Essential skill | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Critical Thinking | Essential skill | 2.88 | 2.75 |
| Troubleshooting | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 2.75 |
| Complex Problem Solving | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 2.62 |
| Equipment Maintenance | Transferable skill | 2.75 | 2.75 |
| Active Listening | Essential skill | 2.75 | 2.62 |
| Coordination | Transferable skill | 2.75 | 2.62 |
| Speaking | Essential skill | 2.75 | 2.62 |
| Time Management | Transferable skill | 2.75 | 2.25 |
| Social Perceptiveness | Transferable skill | 2.62 | 2.12 |
| Repairing | Transferable skill | 2.50 | 2.38 |
| Active Learning | Essential skill | 2.50 | 2.12 |
| Equipment Selection | Transferable skill | 2.50 | 2.00 |
| Mathematics | Essential skill | 2.38 | 2.50 |
| Writing | Essential skill | 2.25 | 2.00 |
| Systems Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.12 | 2.12 |
| Systems Evaluation | Transferable skill | 2.12 | 2.00 |
| Instructing | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Learning Strategies | Essential skill | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 1.88 |
| Service Orientation | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 1.88 |
| Persuasion | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 1.75 |
| Negotiation | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 1.25 |
| Programming | Transferable skill | 1.75 | 0.75 |
| Technology Design | Transferable skill | 1.75 | 0.75 |
| Installation | Transferable skill | 1.50 | 0.50 |
| Management of Financial Resources | Transferable skill | 1.50 | 0.50 |
| Management of Material Resources | Transferable skill | 1.50 | 0.50 |
| Operations Analysis | Transferable skill | 1.50 | 0.50 |
| Science | Essential skill | 1.50 | 0.50 |
Knowledge (33) and abilities (52)
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Production and Processing | 3.66 | 3.82 |
| Mechanical | 3.62 | 4.67 |
| Mathematics | 3.13 | 3.47 |
| Engineering and Technology | 3.05 | 3.28 |
| Administration and Management | 3.03 | 3.30 |
| English Language | 2.83 | 3.24 |
| Education and Training | 2.76 | 2.88 |
| Design | 2.73 | 2.99 |
| Computers and Electronics | 2.56 | 2.98 |
| Public Safety and Security | 2.44 | 2.58 |
| Administrative | 2.22 | 2.30 |
| Physics | 2.18 | 2.49 |
| Chemistry | 2.09 | 2.26 |
| Telecommunications | 2.00 | 1.87 |
| Communications and Media | 1.94 | 1.76 |
| Law and Government | 1.79 | 1.53 |
| Transportation | 1.76 | 1.20 |
| Building and Construction | 1.69 | 1.61 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | 1.69 | 0.90 |
| Economics and Accounting | 1.38 | not rated |
| Psychology | 1.32 | not rated |
| Food Production | 1.30 | not rated |
| Sales and Marketing | 1.30 | not rated |
| Therapy and Counseling | 1.28 | not rated |
| Customer and Personal Service | 1.27 | not rated |
| Philosophy and Theology | 1.26 | not rated |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 1.24 | not rated |
| Foreign Language | 1.21 | not rated |
| Biology | 1.20 | not rated |
| History and Archeology | 1.19 | not rated |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 1.16 | not rated |
| Geography | 1.13 | not rated |
| Fine Arts | 1.11 | not rated |
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Control Precision | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Near Vision | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Manual Dexterity | 3.75 | 3.12 |
| Problem Sensitivity | 3.75 | 3.00 |
| Reaction Time | 3.62 | 3.75 |
| Multilimb Coordination | 3.62 | 3.25 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | 3.50 | 3.00 |
| Selective Attention | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Finger Dexterity | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Oral Comprehension | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Rate Control | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Written Comprehension | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Visualization | 3.00 | 3.25 |
| Static Strength | 3.00 | 3.12 |
| Auditory Attention | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Far Vision | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Information Ordering | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Oral Expression | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Perceptual Speed | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Deductive Reasoning | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Inductive Reasoning | 3.00 | 2.75 |
| Category Flexibility | 2.88 | 3.00 |
| Flexibility of Closure | 2.88 | 3.00 |
| Trunk Strength | 2.88 | 3.00 |
| Depth Perception | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Wrist-Finger Speed | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Speech Clarity | 2.75 | 2.12 |
| Speech Recognition | 2.75 | 2.12 |
| Response Orientation | 2.62 | 2.62 |
| Extent Flexibility | 2.62 | 2.50 |
| Hearing Sensitivity | 2.62 | 2.50 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | 2.50 | 2.12 |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 2.50 | 2.00 |
| Speed of Closure | 2.50 | 2.00 |
| Time Sharing | 2.38 | 2.12 |
| Number Facility | 2.38 | 2.00 |
| Dynamic Strength | 2.25 | 2.12 |
| Speed of Limb Movement | 2.12 | 2.00 |
| Stamina | 2.12 | 2.00 |
| Written Expression | 2.12 | 2.00 |
| Explosive Strength | 2.12 | 1.25 |
| Gross Body Coordination | 2.00 | 2.12 |
| Gross Body Equilibrium | 2.00 | 2.12 |
| Fluency of Ideas | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Memorization | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Originality | 2.00 | 1.88 |
| Sound Localization | 2.00 | 1.12 |
| Spatial Orientation | 2.00 | 1.00 |
| Peripheral Vision | 1.62 | 0.62 |
| Glare Sensitivity | 1.50 | 0.62 |
| Night Vision | 1.50 | 0.50 |
| Dynamic Flexibility | 1.12 | not rated |
Software used
Examples from O*NET data. "Hot" and "in demand" are O*NET flags for technologies often listed in job postings.
- Autodesk AutoCAD hot
- Microsoft Excel hot
- Microsoft Office software hot
- Microsoft Windows hot
- SAP software hot
- Manufacturing reporting system
- Mazak Mazatrol SMART CNC
Where it concentrates
Metro areas ranked by BLS location quotient: the occupation's share of the area's jobs divided by its share of all US jobs. Above 1 means more concentrated than the nation. Metros employing fewer than 100 are left out.
| Metro area | Employment | Location quotient | Median annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | 460 | 16.96 | $59,750 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | 170 | 9.53 | $39,050 |
| Albany, OR | 180 | 8.83 | $50,840 |
| Jackson, MI | 200 | 8.13 | $46,730 |
| Sheboygan, WI | 200 | 7.65 | $52,310 |
| Erie, PA | 320 | 6.24 | $45,390 |
| Columbus, IN | 120 | 5.73 | $43,240 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | 110 | 5.69 | $39,080 |
| Wausau, WI | 160 | 5.47 | $40,580 |
| Sandusky, OH | 120 | 5.38 | $56,670 |