How to hire a polisher

How to hire a polisher, step by step

Here's a step-by-step polisher hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a polisher job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new polisher
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a polisher do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The polisher hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect polisher also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   Here's a comparison of polisher salaries for various roles:

   Type of Polisher	Description	Hourly rate
   Polisher	Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.	$12-18
   Grinder	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... Show more	$12-19

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Hand Tools
   • Calipers
   • Polishers
   • CNC
   • PPE
   • Machine Operation
   • Quality Standards
   • Hoists
   • Spindles
   • Product Specifications
   • Print Specifications
   • Machine Shop
   • Operational Sequences
   • Customer Specifications

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Train and instruct other polishers and achieve significant improvements in their productivity.
   • Gain experience with CNC machines.
   • Operate CNC grinders and milling machines.
   • Polish custom glass, run polishing machine.
   • Polish granite counter tops also run a pro edge machine.
   • Metal finishing, copper buffer, in a high end custom chrome shop ..

   More polisher duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your polisher job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A polisher can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, polishers' average salary in alabama is 30% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level polishers 33% less than senior-level polishers.
   • Certifications. A polisher with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a polisher's salary.

   Average polisher salary

   $15.61hourly

   $32,461 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level polisher salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

   Average polisher salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$36,938	$18
   2	Illinois	$34,357	$17
   3	Wisconsin	$34,279	$16
   4	Michigan	$33,718	$16
   5	Ohio	$32,793	$16
   6	Minnesota	$32,527	$16
   7	Arizona	$32,493	$16
   8	Utah	$32,436	$16
   9	New York	$32,168	$15
   10	Iowa	$31,458	$15
   11	Rhode Island	$30,906	$15
   12	Connecticut	$30,753	$15
   13	New Jersey	$30,331	$15
   14	Texas	$30,126	$14
   15	North Carolina	$29,530	$14
   16	Florida	$26,949	$13

   Average polisher salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	North American Dental Group	$40,581	$19.51	1
   2	Olympic Steel	$40,489	$19.47
   3	Alfa Laval	$40,380	$19.41	1
   4	Nordson	$39,473	$18.98
   5	Johnson & Johnson	$37,938	$18.24
   6	North American Lighting	$37,368	$17.97
   7	SPX	$37,128	$17.85	1
   8	Masco	$37,112	$17.84
   9	Tiffany & Co.	$36,365	$17.48	2
   10	Precision Countertops	$35,466	$17.05
   11	Interior Specialists	$34,782	$16.72
   12	Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts	$34,667	$16.67
   13	ALLIED STONE INDUSTRIES	$34,396	$16.54	3
   14	The Timken Company	$33,921	$16.31
   15	Hotel Services	$33,858	$16.28
   16	AAR	$33,136	$15.93
   17	TPI	$33,125	$15.93	2
   18	Vollrath	$33,105	$15.92
   19	ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS	$33,075	$15.90
   20	QPS	$33,033	$15.88

4. Writing a polisher job description

   A job description for a polisher role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a polisher job description:

   Polisher job description example

   Sign On Bonus - $500

   Since 1942 H-V Industries has continued to lead the way with development of highly innovative products that have shaped the industry. Today our highly-skilled workforce, supported by a complete compliment of machinery, equipment and processes, continues to support a multitude of industries and customers around the world. It is this innovative spirit and the drive to explore new markets that keeps us at the forefront of the latest technical advances and continues to drive us forward.

   H-V Industries is a part of CarnaudMetalbox Engineering (CMB Engineering) a UK based company, but wholly owned by Crown Holdings, Inc. Crown Holdings is a global leader in the design, manufacture, and sale of packaging products for consumer goods. At Crown, we are passionate about helping our customers build their brands and connect with consumers around the world. We do this by delivering innovative packaging that offers significant value for brand owners, retailers, and consumers alike. With operations in 47 countries employing over 33,000 people and net sales of over $11 billion, we are uniquely positioned to bring best practices in quality and manufacturing to our customers to drive their business locally and globally.

   H-V provides a competitive wage and comprehensive benefits package that includes COMPANY PAID: medical/dental/vision/life/disability pay insurances, vacation, holidays, and educational assistance. Other benefits include a 401(k) with company match.

   Duties/Responsibilities of this position include;

   • Polish finished parts to customer specification, using polishing stones, buffing wheels, files (diamond, steel) diamond paste, abrasive wheels while utilizing a tool room lathe.
   • Use of inspection with digital micrometer, comparator, contour tracer, overlay, dial indicator.
   • Works with minimal supervision.
   • Perform frequent checks of parts to ensure dimensional requirements are met.
   • Is dependable, safety conscious and concerned with quality.

   Summary of essential job functions:

   • The ability to read and interpret mechanical blueprints & parts specifications
   • Take direction and learn new tasks quickly and efficiently
   • Attention to detail
   • Some computer skills
   • The flexibility to work overtime hours when needed
   • Self starter who can work independently
   • Dependable, safety conscious and concerned with quality
   • Maintain a safe and clean work environment through active involvement in Plant Safety Program

   JOB REQUIREMENTS *

   Minimum requirements:

   High School Diploma, GED or Trade School

   Abilities required:

   Lifting and carrying of parts and or fixtures weighing from 2-100 lbs. frequently

   Operate machine controls positioned 4-5 feet from shop floor

   Able to perform at work benches set at 36-40 height

   Standing and walking continuously for 8 hours per workday

   Forward bending required while loading and unloading machine and operating controls

   Move carts containing parts weighing up to 200 lbs

   Disclaimer:

   The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

   Crown is an equal opportunity employer. Crown does not discriminate against any candidate or employee on the basis of race, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

   Company DescriptionLet’s find your next job – together. Whether you’re looking for temporary work or a direct-hire job, Advantage xPO will connect you to an opportunity that closely matches your interests and skills. Advantage xPO is a proud member of Staffmark Group, an award-winning family of staffing brands with a national network of 450+ offices. We connect over 250,000 people to jobs each year, and we’re ready to put this expertise to work for you! Learn more at www.advantagexpo.com.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find polishers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your polisher job on Zippia to find and recruit polisher candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with polisher candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new polisher

   Once you've found the polisher candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new polisher. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a polisher?