Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Alabama
Want to work as a Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Alabama? Here’s what the data says. 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.
What do Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Make in Alabama?
For a grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic working in Alabama, the typical annual salary is $38,910 per year (or about $18.71/hour).Pay can range from $32,210 at the 10th percentile to $50,040 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $32,210 | $15.49 |
| 25th percentile | $35,460 | $17.05 |
| Median (50th) | $38,910 | $18.71 |
| 75th percentile | $48,180 | $23.16 |
| 90th percentile | $50,040 | $24.06 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Alabama nationwide is 1.66, meaning that grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn a median of $52,281 per year ($25.14/hour), lower than the Alabama median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 381,551 grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic nationwide. In Alabama alone, about 1,580 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 810 grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.
Top Alabama Metros for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
The metro areas below employ the most grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Alabama.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 420 | $38,580 |
| Huntsville, AL | 130 | $46,080 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | 120 | $37,890 |
| Montgomery, AL | 50 | $37,600 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | 30 | $33,520 |
| Mobile, AL | 30 | $37,260 |
Top States for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Employment
The table below shows the states where the most grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 7,800 |
| Ohio | 5,760 |
| Illinois | 5,100 |
| Michigan | 4,670 |
| Indiana | 4,590 |
| Pennsylvania | 4,280 |
| Wisconsin | 3,430 |
| Texas | 3,050 |
| Massachusetts | 2,330 |
| New York | 2,320 |
| Washington | 2,080 |
| South Carolina | 2,020 |
| North Carolina | 1,820 |
| Alabama | 1,580 |
| Connecticut | 1,520 |
| Minnesota | 1,490 |
| Missouri | 1,480 |
| Iowa | 1,200 |
| Oregon | 1,160 |
| Georgia | 1,120 |
Highest-Paying States for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Where grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn the most: grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Missouri | $58,920 |
| Oregon | $51,850 |
| Minnesota | $49,180 |
| Vermont | $49,160 |
| Massachusetts | $48,690 |
| South Carolina | $48,210 |
| Washington | $47,550 |
| Connecticut | $47,480 |
| North Carolina | $47,470 |
| Nebraska | $46,730 |
Skills
The most important grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic typically:
- 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.
- Select machine tooling to be used, using knowledge of machine and production requirements.
- Mount and position tools in machine chucks, spindles, or other tool holding devices, using hand tools.
- Activate machine start-up switches to grind, lap, hone, debar, shear, or cut workpieces, according to specifications.
- 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.
- Set and adjust machine controls according to product specifications, using knowledge of machine operation.
- Brush or spray lubricating compounds on workpieces, or turn valve handles and direct flow of coolant against tools and workpieces.
- Lift and position workpieces, manually or with hoists, and secure them in hoppers or on machine tables, faceplates, or chucks, using clamps.
Work Activities
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Getting Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- Precision Metal Working
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Related Careers
Related occupations to grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic include:
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery
- Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Also Known As
Abrasive Worker, Air Grinder, Aluminum Polisher, Automatic Grinder Operator, Axle Bearing Polisher, Axle Polisher, Balance Screwhead Polisher, Band Reamer Machine Operator, Band Saw Filer, Barrel Centerer, Barrel Polisher, Bearing Grinder, Bearingizer, Belt Polisher, Belt Technician (Belt Tech).
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 51-4033.00
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