Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
SOC Code: 51-4033 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
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.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syracuse, NY | $36,920 | $46,322 | $55,723 | $65,125 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $43,701 | $50,794 | $57,886 | $64,979 |
| Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $42,890 | $49,941 | $56,992 | $64,043 |
| Central Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $43,098 | $50,024 | $56,971 | $63,898 |
| Salem, OR | $43,264 | $50,066 | $56,888 | $63,690 |
| Springfield, MA | $42,286 | $48,963 | $55,619 | $62,296 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $43,160 | $49,296 | $55,432 | $61,568 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $42,390 | $48,734 | $55,078 | $61,422 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $36,837 | $44,990 | $53,165 | $61,318 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $37,814 | $45,365 | $52,936 | $60,486 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operation and Control | 4.0 | |
| Operations Monitoring | 4.0 | |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.5 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 | |
| Monitoring | 3.1 | |
| Troubleshooting | 3.0 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 | |
| Speaking | 3.0 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.9 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Production and Processing | 3.5 |
| Mathematics | 3.0 |
| Administration and Management | 2.8 |
| Mechanical | 2.7 |
| English Language | 2.6 |
| Computers and Electronics | 2.5 |
| Design | 2.2 |
| Administrative | 2.1 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 80.1% |
| Some college | 14.3% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 4.2% |
| Less than high school | 1.4% |
Typical Tasks
- Inspect or measure finished workpieces to determine conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as gauges or micrometers.
- Lift and position workpieces, manually or with hoists, and secure them in hoppers or on machine tables, faceplates, or chucks, using clamps.
- 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 workpieces.
- Observe machine operations to detect any problems, making necessary adjustments to correct problems.
- Set and adjust machine controls according to product specifications, using knowledge of machine operation.
- Measure workpieces and lay out work, using precision measuring devices.
- Select machine tooling to be used, using knowledge of machine and production requirements.
- Study blueprints, work orders, or machining instructions to determine product specifications, tool requirements, and operational sequences.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Autodesk AutoCAD Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Windows SAP software Manufacturing reporting system Mazak Mazatrol SMART CNC
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