As of July 2026,
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders has an AI-exposure score of 52/100
(Elevated exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index. This is an estimate of task
exposure, not a prediction of job loss.
Score inputs for this role:
This role starts from O*NET 29.1 occupational descriptors and is empirically grounded by Penn/OpenAI GPTs are GPTs study, Anthropic Economic Index (June 26, 2026), Felten, Raj and Seamans AIOE index. BLS labor-market figures are separate context, not score inputs.
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
More exposed than 36% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$48,540. About 2,700 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 - growth plus replacement).
Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) - your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.
How this role compares to similar Production roles
What this role usually involves
Set up, operate, or tend machines to crush, grind, or polish materials, such as coal, glass, grain, stone, food, or rubber.
Broad guidance for this preparation level; exact requirements vary by role and employer.
Source: O*NET 29.1 exact occupation - Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, SOC 51-9021.00. Context describes the role; the AI-exposure score remains a separate task-exposure estimate.
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders tasks, by AI exposure
- Record data from operations, testing, and production on specified forms.
- Tend accessory equipment, such as pumps and conveyors, to move materials or ingredients through production processes.
- Turn valves to regulate the moisture contents of materials.
- Read work orders to determine production specifications and information.
- Observe operation of equipment to ensure continuity of flow, safety, and efficient operation, and to detect malfunctions.
No durable tasks identified for this role - its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as augmentable (85%).
We analyzed all 20 Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders tasks - 3 automatable and 17 augmentable. The full task map - every task with exactly what to do about each - is in your Career Report.
Your report unlocks three concrete artifacts
Every task scored with what to automate, augment, or protect.
Related roles with exposure deltas, salary, demand, and reachability. Lower-exposure options appear only when the data supports them.
A keepable roadmap plus resume and LinkedIn repositioning.
Grounded in O*NET-linked or curated role data, with Penn, Anthropic Economic Index, and AIOE signals where matched. BLS labor-market context is separate - not generic advice.
Adjacent career paths
Relatedness shows how reachable a move may be. A path is labeled lower exposure only when its score is at least 6 points lower; every row shows the measured difference.
Record data from operations, testing, and production on specified forms.
Your AI-Safe Career Report
Every task scored with what to do about it; adjacent paths with honest exposure deltas, salary, demand, and reachability; a skill-gap map; a 30/60/90-day roadmap; Agent Reality Check; plus a résumé and LinkedIn rewrite and professional PDF.
Grounded in O*NET-linked or curated role data, with Penn, Anthropic Economic Index, and AIOE signals where matched. BLS labor-market context is separate.
Workers with AI skills earn a roughly 62% wage premium - adapting pays. - PwC Global AI Jobs Barometer, 2026
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