Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders fall under the Production category in the U.S. occupational classification. Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders earn a median salary of $46,890 per year, ranking in the top 72% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -2.5% job growth through 2034, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders earn?

The median annual wage for crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders is $46,890. That puts crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders at #584 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders is -2.5%, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Employment is projected to move from approximately 28K positions in 2024 to 27K in 2034, a net change of -1K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What do crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Clean, adjust, and maintain equipment, using hand tools.
2. 2.Inspect chains, belts, or scrolls for signs of wear.
3. 3.Reject defective products and readjust equipment to eliminate problems.
4. 4.Examine materials, ingredients, or products, visually or with hands, to ensure conformance to established standards.
5. 5.Dislodge and clear jammed materials or other items from machinery and equipment, using hand tools.
6. 6.Observe operation of equipment to ensure continuity of flow, safety, and efficient operation, and to detect malfunctions.
7. 7.Move controls to start, stop, or adjust machinery and equipment that crushes, grinds, polishes, or blends materials.
8. 8.Notify supervisors of needed repairs.

Top skills for crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tender?

Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

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Common questions parents ask about crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders