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Skilled Trades

Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand

Grind, sand, or polish, using hand tools or hand-held power tools, a variety of metal, wood, stone, clay, plastic, or glass objects. Includes chippers, buffers, and finishers.

Median salary (BLS)

$42,660

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$33k – $61k

Job outlook

No separate BLS projection for this specific role

AI exposure

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Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand

    Entry / Junior

    $33,480

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand

    Established

    $42,660

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand

    Senior

    $51,735

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Verify quality of finished workpieces by inspecting them, comparing them to templates, measuring their dimensions, or testing them in working machinery.
  • •Grind, sand, clean, or polish objects or parts to correct defects or to prepare surfaces for further finishing, using hand tools and power tools.
  • •Measure and mark equipment, objects, or parts to ensure grinding and polishing standards are met.
  • •Trim, scrape, or deburr objects or parts, using chisels, scrapers, and other hand tools and equipment.
  • •Mark defects, such as knotholes, cracks, and splits, for repair.

Fields of study

Any field

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.