Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between grinders and polishers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a grinder has an average salary of $33,001, which is higher than the $32,461 average annual salary of a polisher.
The top three skills for a grinder include grinders, hand tools and calipers. The most important skills for a polisher are hand tools, calipers, and polishers.
| Grinder | Polisher | |
| Yearly salary | $33,001 | $32,461 |
| Hourly rate | $15.87 | $15.61 |
| Growth rate | 1% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 3,409 | 608 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 58% | High School Diploma, 56% |
| Average age | 48 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | - |
Depending on the industry, a grinder has a diverse range of duties. Typically, they oversee setting up and operating bearing grinders, cam grinders, and CNC lathes. A grinder must meet with the manufacturer's specifications by making use of shop drawings. Additionally, they may be tasked with repairing any mechanical breakdowns on the machines.
Polishers need skills in critical thinking, troubleshooting, equipment maintenance, and social perceptiveness. Generally, this career requires only a high school diploma or GED, though some polishers do hold bachelor's degrees. They polish and buff stainless steel parts for the purpose of removing spots, scratches, or other defects. They also cut and rake wheel belts and check for errors and deficiencies in machinery and equipment.
Grinders and polishers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Grinder | Polisher | |
| Average salary | $33,001 | $32,461 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $40,000 | Between $26,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | Tualatin, OR | Fremont, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Mexico | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Kennametal | North American Dental Group |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a grinder and a polisher in terms of educational background:
| Grinder | Polisher | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 58% | High School Diploma, 56% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | General Studies |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between grinders' and polishers' demographics:
| Grinder | Polisher | |
| Average age | 48 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7% | Male, 85.4% Female, 14.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.0% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 6.3% White, 70.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 7.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 2.7% White, 69.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 6% |