Occupation · SOC 51-9021
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Set up, operate, or tend machines to crush, grind, or polish materials, such as coal, glass, grain, stone, food, or rubber.
Median wage
$46,890
$35,380–$65,980
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
28,550
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
0 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlMonitoringQuality Control AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementActive ListeningSpeaking
Knowledge areas
Administration and ManagementProduction and ProcessingEnglish LanguageEducation and TrainingPublic Safety and Security
Technology & tools
Electronic mail softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareWord processing softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP software
Representative tasks
Observe operation of equipment to ensure continuity of flow, safety, and efficient operation, and toClean, adjust, and maintain equipment, using hand tools.Tend accessory equipment, such as pumps and conveyors, to move materials or ingredients through prod
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Crushing and grinding machine controls — identify and operate under direct supervisor guidance on a production floor.Equipment malfunctions and flow irregularities — recognize and report to a supervisor during monitored machine runs.Hand tools and basic cleaning supplies — use to clean and wipe down equipment surfaces following a posted maintenance checklist.Accessory equipment such as pumps and conveyors — tend under direct instruction to move materials through a basic production process.Raw materials and finished products — weigh and measure at specified intervals using calibrated scales under close supervision.Defective output samples — identify and set aside for supervisor review according to facility quality standards.Production log forms — record basic operational data and shift counts with guidance from a lead operator.Personal protective equipment and site safety rules — follow consistently at all times on the plant floor.Supervisor repair notifications — communicate verbally and in writing when equipment issues are observed during a shift.Standard operating procedure documents — read and follow step-by-step to start and stop assigned crushing or grinding machines.
developing
Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine settings — adjust and control independently to maintain consistent material output within specification.Equipment flow and operational continuity — monitor across a full shift and make routine corrections without supervisor prompting.Hand tools and lubrication supplies — use routinely to clean, adjust, and maintain equipment according to a preventive maintenance schedule.Pump and conveyor accessory systems — tend and troubleshoot to keep material moving efficiently through multi-step production processes.Material weights and measurements — record and compare against production specifications at defined intervals to ensure conformance.Defective products — reject and readjust machine parameters to correct recurring quality problems within familiar process conditions.Spreadsheet and word processing software — enter and organize daily production and testing data on electronic forms.Operational changes and repair needs — communicate clearly to supervisors and peers using accurate production terminology.Time and task priorities — manage across concurrent machine assignments to minimize downtime during a standard production shift.Quality control inspection steps — apply consistently to sampled materials, documenting results on required forms with minimal errors.
proficient
Full range of crushing, grinding, and polishing equipment — operate and control autonomously across diverse material types and production conditions.Non-routine equipment malfunctions — diagnose root causes and implement corrective adjustments without waiting for supervisor direction.Preventive and corrective maintenance tasks — perform independently using a full set of hand tools to minimize unplanned production stoppages.Accessory pump, conveyor, and blending systems — oversee and fine-tune to optimize material flow across a complete production line.Measurement data and quality control records — analyze trends over time to identify process drift and recommend specification adjustments.Defective product patterns — evaluate systematically, adjust multiple machine parameters, and verify resolution through follow-up sampling.Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software — input production data, track material consumption, and generate shift summary reports accurately.Equipment repair needs — assess severity, prioritize, and communicate detailed findings to maintenance and supervisory staff to expedite resolution.Safety and operational risks — evaluate in real time and apply sound judgment to stop or adjust processes before incidents occur.Production schedules and quality targets — coordinate personal workflow to consistently meet or exceed output and conformance requirements.
advanced
Machine setup standards and operating procedures — develop and document for the full crushing, grinding, and polishing equipment suite used at the facility.New operator onboarding and skills training — lead structured on-the-job instruction sessions that build proficiency from day one through independent operation.Facility-wide production flow and equipment reliability — oversee and continuously improve to maximize throughput and minimize material waste.Quality control systems and inspection criteria — establish, audit, and refine across the production line to ensure sustained conformance to specifications.Preventive maintenance programs — design and implement schedules for all accessory and primary equipment to extend service life and reduce downtime.ERP and production reporting systems — champion adoption and accurate use across the operator team to support data-driven management decisions.Cross-functional communication between production, maintenance, and management — facilitate to resolve complex equipment and process challenges at organizational scale.Safety culture and regulatory compliance — model and reinforce through daily practice, toolbox talks, and participation in site-level safety reviews.Performance metrics and production KPIs — analyze shift, weekly, and monthly data to identify gaps and lead corrective action planning with supervisors.Process improvement initiatives — lead evaluations of equipment configurations, material handling methods, and operator practices to raise departmental efficiency.
Also known as
310 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Meal-Grinder TenderPulverizerGrinding Mill OperatorGrinding-Mill OperatorPerlite GrinderJewel Cupping Machine OperatorHull GrinderTire BufferCarbon Plant GrinderStone Lathe OperatorCrushing Machine OperatorCustom GrinderCrusherGlaze MakerFeed Mill OperatorEdging Machine SetterSpice MillerSlab GrinderHydropulper OperatorConvex Grinder OperatorWheel Mill OperatorMill OperatorGritterCrusher TenderSkin BufferLaboratory Miller (Lab Miller)Beater EngineerCircle EdgerTile GrinderBone GrinderPecan ShellerShot Blast Equipment OperatorFacerMiller, Wet ProcessGrit BlasterSoap GrinderBreaker Machine OperatorGrinder Mill OperatorPulp-Refiner OperatorAir Bag Buffer