Metal polisher vs universal grinder operator

The differences between metal polishers and universal grinder operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a universal grinder operator has an average salary of $40,509, which is higher than the $31,307 average annual salary of a metal polisher.

The top three skills for a metal polisher include CNC, MIG and customer specifications. The most important skills for a universal grinder operator are grinders, gannon, and water truck.

Metal polisher vs universal grinder operator overview

	Metal Polisher	Universal Grinder Operator
Yearly salary	$31,307	$40,509
Hourly rate	$15.05	$19.48
Growth rate	-5%	-5%
Number of jobs	2,766	32,645
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	-	-

Metal polisher vs universal grinder operator salary

Metal polishers and universal grinder operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Metal Polisher	Universal Grinder Operator
Average salary	$31,307	$40,509
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $40,000	Between $29,000 And $56,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between metal polisher and universal grinder operator education

There are a few differences between a metal polisher and a universal grinder operator in terms of educational background:

	Metal Polisher	Universal Grinder Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Business
Most common college	-	-

Metal polisher vs universal grinder operator demographics

Here are the differences between metal polishers' and universal grinder operators' demographics:

	Metal Polisher	Universal Grinder Operator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 93.8% Female, 6.3%	Male, 61.9% Female, 38.1%
Race ratio	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%	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	6%	6%

Differences between metal polisher and universal grinder operator duties and responsibilities

Metal polisher example responsibilities.

Train and instruct other polishers and achieve significant improvements in their productivity.
Train and instruct other polishers and achieve significant improvements in their productivity.
Grinded burs off of metal pieces, inspect parts and finish parts using tools and machines.

Universal grinder operator example responsibilities.

Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Balance and set up various size rolls to G1, exceeding industry standards.

Metal polisher vs universal grinder operator skills

Common metal polisher skills

CNC, 23%
MIG, 22%
Customer Specifications, 19%
Carbon Steel, 18%
Chrome, 18%

Common universal grinder operator skills

Grinders, 89%
Gannon, 6%
Water Truck, 5%

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Metal Polisher vs Universal Grinder Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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