Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
The short answer
This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to shrink over the next decade, with about 31 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with a small part of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
This job is in the least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.
AI can help with or automate about 6% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Record product and processing data on specified forms.
AI could do much of this on its own
Tasks AI can't do much of
Verify quality of finished workpieces by inspecting them, comparing them to templates, measuring their dimensions, or testing them in working machinery.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Grind, sand, clean, or polish objects or parts to correct defects or to prepare surfaces for further finishing, using hand tools and power tools.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Measure and mark equipment, objects, or parts to ensure grinding and polishing standards are met.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Trim, scrape, or deburr objects or parts, using chisels, scrapers, and other hand tools and equipment.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Mark defects, such as knotholes, cracks, and splits, for repair.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Very similar work+6% pay360 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 6% more—$51,031 vs your $48,321 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Mechanical
- Near Vision
- Production and Processing
- Control Precision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
New skills to build
- Design
- Mathematics
- Operations Monitoring
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Very similar work+4% pay132 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 4% more—$50,412 vs your $48,321 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
- Production and Processing
- Manual Dexterity
- Operations Monitoring
New skills to build
- Operation and Control
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Very similar workslightly less pay236 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$48,003 vs your $48,321 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Operations Monitoring
- Multilimb Coordination
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Very similar work+23% pay72 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 23% more—$59,412 vs your $48,321 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Control Precision
- Near Vision
- Manual Dexterity
- Operations Monitoring
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
New skills to build
- Public Safety and Security
- Operation and Control
- Administration and Management
- Economics and Accounting
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
Similar workslightly less pay185 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$46,989 vs your $48,321 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Production and Processing
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
- Finger Dexterity
New skills to build
- Design
- Chemistry
- Sales and Marketing
- Fine Arts
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
Similar workslightly less pay116 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$44,721 vs your $48,321 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
- Mechanical
- Manual Dexterity
- Operations Monitoring
New skills to build
- Reaction Time
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Somewhat similar work+5% pay191 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 5% more—$50,811 vs your $48,321 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Control Precision
- Finger Dexterity
- Near Vision
- Manual Dexterity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Machine Feeders and Offbearers
Somewhat similar workslightly less pay94 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$44,400 vs your $48,321 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Control Precision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Production and Processing
- Operations Monitoring
- Mechanical
Your current skills largely cover this move.