As of June 2026, Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand has an AI-exposure score of 41/100 (Moderate exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.

AI Exposure Score for

Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand

41/100
Moderate exposure
LowModerateElevatedHighVery High

More exposed than 13% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$42,660. About 800 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).

Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.

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How you compare to similar Production roles

Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand (you)
41
Cutters and Trimmers, Hand
41
Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters
41
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers
41
Foundry Mold and Coremakers
41
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
41
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Your tasks, by AI exposure

Automatable

No automatable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as augmentable (94%).

Augmentable
  • Record product and processing data on specified forms.
  • Clean brass particles from files by drawing file cards through file grooves.
  • 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.
  • Repair and maintain equipment, objects, or parts, using hand tools.
  • Transfer equipment, objects, or parts to specified work areas, using moving devices.
  • Study blueprints or layouts to determine how to lay out workpieces or saw out templates.
  • Load and adjust workpieces onto equipment or work tables, using hand tools.
  • Remove completed workpieces from equipment or work tables, using hand tools, and place workpieces in containers.
  • Mark defects, such as knotholes, cracks, and splits, for repair.
  • Sharpen abrasive grinding tools, using machines and hand tools.
  • Apply solutions and chemicals to equipment, objects, or parts, using hand tools.
  • Move controls to adjust, start, or stop equipment during grinding and polishing processes.
  • Grind, sand, clean, or polish objects or parts to correct defects or to prepare surfaces for further finishing, using hand tools and power tools.
  • Trim, scrape, or deburr objects or parts, using chisels, scrapers, and other hand tools and equipment.
  • Measure and mark equipment, objects, or parts to ensure grinding and polishing standards are met.
Durable
  • Verify quality of finished workpieces by inspecting them, comparing them to templates, measuring their dimensions, or testing them in working machinery.

Safer adjacent roles

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
72% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$50,060
43
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
64% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$43,380
41
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
56% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$46,570
53
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
48% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$48,540
52
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
40% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$50,620
48
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
40% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$46,330
46
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
40% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$46,170
47

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Important: This is an estimate of AI exposure, not a prediction that your job will disappear. It is designed to help you understand how your role may change and improve your career resilience.