# Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners

> Perform precision smoothing, sharpening, polishing, or grinding of metal objects.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 51-4194.00
- **Summary:** Perform precision smoothing, sharpening, polishing, or grinding of metal objects.

## Aliases

- Grinder
- Grinder Operator
- Saw Filer
- Tool Grinder
- Cutter Grinder
- Finisher
- OD Grinder Operator (Outer Diameter Grinder Operator)
- Tool and Cutter Grinder
- Card Grinder
- Computer Numerical Control Grinding Technician (CNC Grinding Technician)
- Crankshaft Grinder
- Cutter Grind Tool Technician

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monitor machine operations to determine whether adjustments are necessary, stopping machines when problems occur. | Core | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Inspect, feel, and measure workpieces to ensure that surfaces and dimensions meet specifications. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.f |
| Study blueprints or layouts of metal workpieces to determine grinding procedures, and to plan machine setups and operational sequences. | Core | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Select and mount grinding wheels on machines, according to specifications, using hand tools and applying knowledge of abrasives and grinding procedures. | Core | 4.A.2.b.1.j |
| Compute numbers, widths, and angles of cutting tools, micrometers, scales, and gauges, and adjust tools to produce specified cuts. | Core | 4.A.2.b.1.h |
| Turn valves to direct flow of coolant against cutting wheels and workpieces during grinding. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Set up and operate grinding or polishing machines to grind metal workpieces, such as dies, parts, and tools. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.l |
| Dress grinding wheels, according to specifications. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.ag |
| File or finish surfaces of workpieces, using prescribed hand tools. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.o |
| Remove finished workpieces from machines and place them in boxes or on racks, setting aside pieces that are defective. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.an |
| Perform basic maintenance, such as cleaning and lubricating machine parts. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Fit parts together in pre-assembly to ensure that dimensions are accurate. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.2.d |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Apply solutions to production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.ag |
| Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions. | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Operate grinding equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.l |
| Inspect finishes of workpieces or finished products. | 4.A.1.b.2.f |
| Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications. | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Remove products or workpieces from production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.an |
| Package products for storage or shipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.ap |
| Smooth metal surfaces or edges. | 4.A.3.a.2.o |
| Select production equipment according to product specifications. | 4.A.2.b.1.j |
| Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.f |
| Clean production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Maintain production or processing equipment. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Lubricate production equipment. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Remove accessories, tools, or other parts from equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.s |
| Replace worn equipment components. | 4.A.3.b.4.c |
| Calculate specific material, equipment, or labor requirements for production. | 4.A.2.b.1.h |
| Set equipment controls to meet cutting specifications. | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Study blueprints or other instructions to determine equipment setup requirements. | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences. | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Adjust equipment controls to regulate coolant flow. | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references. | 4.A.3.a.2.ao |
| Shape metal workpieces with hammers or other small hand tools. | 4.A.3.a.2.g |
| Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.f |
| Operate welding equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.ai |
| Immerse objects or workpieces in cleaning or coating solutions. | 4.A.3.a.2.m |
| Apply protective or decorative finishes to workpieces or products. | 4.A.3.a.2.ag |
| Assemble machine tools, parts, or fixtures. | 4.A.3.a.2.d |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 4 |
| Operations Monitoring | transferable_skill | 3.88 |
| Manual Dexterity | ability | 3.88 |
| Finger Dexterity | ability | 3.88 |
| Control Precision | ability | 3.88 |
| Operation and Control | transferable_skill | 3.75 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.75 |
| Mechanical | knowledge | 3.61 |
| Quality Control Analysis | transferable_skill | 3.5 |
| Mathematics | knowledge | 3.49 |
| Equipment Maintenance | transferable_skill | 3.38 |
| Repairing | transferable_skill | 3.38 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.38 |
| Visualization | ability | 3.38 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3.38 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 3.25 |
| Perceptual Speed | ability | 3.25 |
| English Language | knowledge | 3.13 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 3.12 |
| Rate Control | ability | 3.12 |
| Reaction Time | ability | 3.12 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3 |
| Equipment Selection | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Troubleshooting | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 3 |
| Multilimb Coordination | ability | 3 |
| Static Strength | ability | 3 |
| Hearing Sensitivity | ability | 3 |
| Auditory Attention | ability | 3 |
| Production and Processing | knowledge | 2.9 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 2.88 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 2.88 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 2.88 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 2.88 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 2.88 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 2.88 |
| Mathematical Reasoning | ability | 2.88 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Dassault Systemes SolidWorks | Computer aided manufacturing CAM software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| ANCA ToolRoom | Computer aided manufacturing CAM software | no | no |
| IBM Lotus Notes | Electronic mail software | no | no |
| Vero Software Edgecam | Computer aided design CAD and computer aided manufacturing CAM system | no | no |
| Zoller | Data base user interface and query software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 4.99 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 4.92 |
| Spend Time Standing | 4.67 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.61 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.49 |
| Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | 4.12 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 4.07 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 4.06 |
| Time Pressure | 4.05 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 3.95 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 3.94 |
| Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | 3.89 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 3.77 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 3.77 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 3.76 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 3.69 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 3.66 |
| Contact With Others | 3.64 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.64 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 3.6 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 3.41 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.36 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 3.34 |
| Level of Competition | 3.26 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 3.22 |
| Physical Proximity | 2.86 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 2.79 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 2.66 |
| Consequence of Error | 2.63 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 2.55 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 2.51 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 2.46 |
| Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling | 2.46 |
| Conflict Situations | 2.45 |
| Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection | 2.39 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | 2.23 |
| Telephone Conversations | 2.19 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 2.19 |
| Degree of Automation | 2.16 |
| Exposed to Whole Body Vibration | 2.15 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 2
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- **Experience:** Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- **Svp Range:** (Below 6.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| High School Diploma | 44.99 |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 35.67 |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 13.28 |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 6.07 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 7 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 4.69 |
| Physical/Manual Labor | specific_interest_area | 4.58 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 4.15 |
| Engineering | specific_interest_area | 3.56 |
| Dependability | work_style | 3 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 2.67 |
| Construction/Woodwork | specific_interest_area | 2.26 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 2.03 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 2.02 |
| Transportation/Machine Operation | specific_interest_area | 1.63 |
| Mathematics/Statistics | specific_interest_area | 1.59 |
| Artistic | career_interest_type | 1.25 |
| Accounting | specific_interest_area | 1.2 |
| Physical Science | specific_interest_area | 1.18 |
| Applied Arts and Design | specific_interest_area | 1.13 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 51-4033.00 | role-51-4033-00 | Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Short |
| 51-9022.00 | role-51-9022-00 | Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand | Primary-Short |
| 51-4035.00 | role-51-4035-00 | Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Short |
| 51-7042.00 | role-51-7042-00 | Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | Primary-Short |
| 51-4034.00 | role-51-4034-00 | Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Short |
| 51-9032.00 | role-51-9032-00 | Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | Primary-Long |
| 51-4111.00 | role-51-4111-00 | Tool and Die Makers | Primary-Long |
| 51-4081.00 | role-51-4081-00 | Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Long |
| 51-4031.00 | role-51-4031-00 | Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Long |
| 51-9021.00 | role-51-9021-00 | Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | Primary-Long |
| 51-4023.00 | role-51-4023-00 | Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Supplemental |
| 51-4032.00 | role-51-4032-00 | Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Advanced Manufacturing | advanced-manufacturing |

## Education Level

- **Category:** High school diploma or equivalent

## Study Programs

| Title | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Precision Production | precision-production |

## Market

- **Median Wage:** 48970
- **Mean Wage:** 51790
- **Pct10Wage:** 33770
- **Pct25Wage:** 39520
- **Pct75Wage:** 60210
- **Pct90Wage:** 74120
- **Employment:** 5730
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 4400 | 50380 | 9.28 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 510 | 40040 | 2.27 |
| 81 | 81 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | Sector | 470 | 42030 | 2.86 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 200 | 33110 | 0.6 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 190 | 32790 | 1.93 |
| 332710 | 332710 | Machine Shops | National industry | 180 | 52210 | 18.65 |
| 44-45 | 44-45 | Retail Trade | Sector | 130 | 36170 | 0.22 |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 332710 | 332710 | Machine Shops | National industry | 180 | 18.65 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 4400 | 9.28 |
| 81 | 81 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | Sector | 470 | 2.86 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 510 | 2.27 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 190 | 1.93 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 200 | 0.6 |
| 44-45 | 44-45 | Retail Trade | Sector | 130 | 0.22 |
- **Count:** 7

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.88 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | -0.8809238 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | -0.4872859 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -1.097234 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 20
- **Percentile:** 17
- **Band:** Low
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 22 | felten_aioe |
| 9 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 29 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | -0.8809238 | 22 | Low | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.06666666666666667 | 9 | Low | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.09636704570671024 | 29 | Low | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.88
- **Percentile:** 75
- **Band:** High
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0
- **Beta:** 0.03333333333333333
- **Gamma:** 0.06666666666666667

### Usage Tasks


### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** -7.8
- **Growth Percentile:** 8
- **Direction:** Declining
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 0.5
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 7
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 5.8
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 5.4

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 18
- **Skills:** 32
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 6
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** 991e8cd4fc21cca0