As of June 2026, Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic has an AI-exposure score of 55/100 (Elevated 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, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

55/100
Elevated exposure
LowModerateElevatedHighVery High

More exposed than 49% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$46,550. About 5,500 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, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (you)
55
Food Batchmakers
55
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
55
Machinists
55
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
55
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
55
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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 (100%).

Augmentable
  • Observe machine operations to detect any problems, making necessary adjustments to correct problems.
  • Repair or replace machine parts, using hand tools, or notify engineering personnel when corrective action is required.
  • Select machine tooling to be used, using knowledge of machine and production requirements.
  • Slide spacers between buffs on spindles to set spacing.
  • Adjust air cylinders and setting stops to set traverse lengths and feed arm strokes.
  • Study blueprints, work orders, or machining instructions to determine product specifications, tool requirements, and operational sequences.
  • Mount and position tools in machine chucks, spindles, or other tool holding devices, using hand tools.
  • Thread and hand-feed materials through machine cutters or abraders.
  • Maintain stocks of machine parts and machining tools.
  • 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.
  • Compute machine indexings and settings for specified dimensions and base reference points.
  • Activate machine start-up switches to grind, lap, hone, debar, shear, or cut workpieces, according to specifications.
  • Set and adjust machine controls according to product specifications, using knowledge of machine operation.
  • 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.
  • Move machine controls to index workpieces, and to adjust machines for pre-selected operational settings.
  • Measure workpieces and lay out work, using precision measuring devices.
  • Inspect or measure finished workpieces to determine conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as gauges or micrometers.
Durable

No durable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as augmentable (100%).

Safer adjacent roles

Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
80% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$42,660
41
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
72% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$50,060
43
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
64% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$50,620
48
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
56% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$43,380
41
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
48% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$52,800
50
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
40% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$46,570
53
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
40% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$47,180
58
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
40% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$48,540
52

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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.