Occupation · SOC 51-9022
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 wage
$41,690
$32,120–$57,250
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
11,850
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
0 mapped
Core skills
Quality Control AnalysisOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlEquipment MaintenanceRepairing
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingMechanicalEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Spreadsheet softwareWord processing software
Representative 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.Repair and maintain equipment, objects, or parts, using hand tools.Select files or other abrasives, according to materials, sizes and shapes of workpieces, amount of stock to be removed, finishes specified, and steps in finishing processes.File grooved, contoured, and irregular surfaces of metal objects, such as metalworking dies and machine parts, to conform to templates, other parts, layouts, or blueprint specifications.Sharpen abrasive grinding tools, using machines and hand tools.Transfer equipment, objects, or parts to specified work areas, using moving devices.Remove completed workpieces from equipment or work tables, using hand tools, and place workpieces in containers.Record product and processing data on specified forms.Apply solutions and chemicals to equipment, objects, or parts, using hand tools.Clean brass particles from files by drawing file cards through file grooves.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Hand grinding and polishing tools — identify and handle under direct supervisor guidance on a production shop floor.Surface defects such as cracks, knotholes, and splits — recognize and mark for repair when pointed out by a lead worker in a manufacturing setting.Workpieces — load and position onto work tables using hand tools under step-by-step instruction in a light production environment.Equipment controls — adjust, start, and stop grinding or polishing machinery following a demonstrated procedure on a supervised production line.Finished workpieces — inspect visually against a sample or template under close supervision to identify obvious surface irregularities.Basic measurements — take and record on workpieces using calipers or rulers to support grinding and polishing standards under direction.Chisels and scrapers — use to trim or deburr workpieces under close oversight in a hand-finishing station.Simple blueprints and layout diagrams — review with supervisor guidance to determine basic workpiece positioning before grinding begins.Personal protective equipment and safety protocols — apply consistently during all grinding and sanding operations on the shop floor.Completed work records — enter basic production data into word processing or spreadsheet software under supervisor instruction.
developing
Hand tools and power grinders — operate routinely with reduced oversight to sand, clean, and polish parts to specification in a mid-volume production environment.Workpiece dimensions — measure, compare to engineering tolerances, and mark independently to ensure grinding and polishing standards are consistently met.Surface defects — assess, categorize, and mark for appropriate repair methods without requiring step-by-step direction on a standard production run.Grinding and polishing equipment — monitor during operation to detect irregular sounds, vibrations, or output quality issues and make basic adjustments.Workpieces — load, align, and secure onto equipment or work tables with proper tool selection across a variety of part sizes and shapes.Templates and blueprints — read independently to determine workpiece layout and saw-out dimensions before beginning finishing operations.Deburring and scraping tasks — perform on metal, wood, or composite parts using appropriate hand tools with consistent quality output.Routine equipment maintenance — perform including cleaning, lubricating, and replacing worn abrasive attachments to keep tools in working condition.Finished parts — test in working machinery or compare against templates to verify quality before releasing to the next production stage.Production quality data — record and update in spreadsheet software to support batch tracking and quality control reporting.
proficient
Complex or non-standard workpieces — grind, sand, and polish autonomously to close tolerances using the appropriate combination of hand and power tools in a high-mix production environment.Multi-step finishing sequences — plan and execute independently, adjusting methods when materials, defect types, or surface requirements fall outside routine parameters.Dimensional inspection and template comparison — conduct with precision across full production lots, identifying systematic deviations and recommending corrective action.Equipment malfunctions — diagnose and repair during grinding and polishing operations, minimizing downtime on the production floor.Blueprint and layout specifications — interpret for complex part geometries, determining optimal workpiece positioning and tool selection without supervisory input.Quality control analysis — apply across a variety of part types to differentiate acceptable surface variation from rejectable defects, documenting findings accurately.Hand deburring and trimming operations — execute on precision components requiring fine motor control and near-vision acuity within tight finish specifications.Grinding and polishing process parameters — evaluate and adjust controls to optimize surface quality and cycle time across different material types.Workpiece staging and workflow — organize independently to maintain production throughput while sustaining quality standards across a full shift.Finishing-related quality incidents — investigate root causes, document findings, and propose process improvements using production data and direct observation.
advanced
Grinding and polishing workforce — mentor and develop entry and mid-level workers by demonstrating techniques, setting performance expectations, and coaching on quality standards across the department.Finishing process standards — establish and document for a full production area, translating blueprint and engineering requirements into repeatable shop-floor procedures.Quality control systems — design and oversee for hand grinding and polishing operations, ensuring inspection criteria, measurement protocols, and reject thresholds align with customer specifications.Equipment maintenance and repair programs — lead for all hand and power finishing tools in the facility, scheduling preventive maintenance to maximize uptime and tool longevity.Production workflow and station layout — configure and optimize to improve throughput, ergonomics, and safety across hand-finishing operations at the facility level.Cross-functional quality issues — resolve by coordinating with engineering, production planning, and inspection teams when surface finish defects affect downstream assembly or customer acceptance.Training materials and standard operating procedures — author using word processing and spreadsheet tools so that new hires can onboard consistently to department quality and safety standards.Continuous improvement initiatives — lead for deburring, polishing, and surface preparation processes, identifying waste, piloting new abrasives or tooling, and tracking measurable outcomes.Safety and compliance standards — champion across the grinding and polishing department, conducting audits and correcting unsafe practices before incidents occur.Finishing operation performance metrics — monitor at the departmental level, analyzing production and quality data to set improvement targets and report results to plant leadership.
Also known as
119 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Reamer, HandGlass BevelerHand FinisherGrinderHand Tool FilerHand PolisherHand Wood SanderHand GrinderSpin-Table OperatorSander-and-BufferHand SanderHand StonerSandstone RepairerFrame RepairerCasting FinisherMold Stamper and RepairerFinal FinisherGlass SmootherMachinery Repairman Apprentice (Navy 003156)Hand ScraperNeedle PolisherFiberglass Boat Parts FinisherHand BufferFettlerImplant PolisherMirror PolisherLaborer, Grinding and PolishingWare CleanerFiler, Hand, ToolStoner, HandReamer, Center HolePipe FinisherGun Barrel FinisherWatch Crystal GrinderMold DresserGlass PolisherPivot End PolisherAllied Trades Specialist (Army 91E)Jewel GrinderJewel Bearing Polisher