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What is a sander operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a sander operator. For example, did you know that they make an average of $15.43 an hour? That's $32,099 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 7% and produce 56,900 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreSander OperatorUS Average
Salary
2.5

Avg. Salary $32,099

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
-

Growth rate 7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
9.8
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.90%

Asian 6.60%

Black or African American 10.23%

Hispanic or Latino 17.38%

Unknown 4.23%

White 60.67%

Gender

female 20.36%

male 79.64%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Sander operator career paths

Key steps to become a sander operator

  1. Explore sander operator education requirements

    Most common sander operator degrees

    High School Diploma

    59.7 %

    Bachelor's

    16.4 %

    Associate

    11.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific sander operator skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Sand Paper51.68%
    Safety Procedures11.25%
    Frac11.22%
    Rail Cars4.79%
    CDL3.40%
  3. Research sander operator duties and responsibilities

    • Experience following procedures and managing GMP documentation.
    • Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
    • Perform repair and preventive maintenance on machinery including cleaning, oiling and adjusting.
  4. Prepare your sander operator resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your sander operator resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a sander operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable sander operator resume templates

    Build a professional sander operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your sander operator resume.
    Sander Operator Resume
    Sander Operator Resume
    Sander Operator Resume
    Sander Operator Resume
    Sander Operator Resume
    Sander Operator Resume
    Sander Operator Resume
    Sander Operator Resume
    Sander Operator Resume
  5. Apply for sander operator jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a sander operator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first sander operator job

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Average sander operator salary

The average sander operator salary in the United States is $32,099 per year or $15 per hour. Sander operator salaries range between $26,000 and $38,000 per year.

Average sander operator salary
$32,099 Yearly
$15.43 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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