Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Machines can already do 28% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 69%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 28% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 4% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2032, and 69% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 26,000 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $48,540 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 59% for contact with people.
- Also called: Beveler Operator, Cullet Trucker, Grinder, Grinder Operator.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Observe operation of equipment to ensure continuity of flow, safety, and efficient operation, and to detect malfunctions | 24% | 30% to 75% | |
| Clean, adjust, and maintain equipment, using hand tools | 11% | 20% to 60% | |
| Move controls to start, stop, or adjust machinery and equipment that crushes, grinds, polishes, or blends materials | 8% | 30% to 75% | |
| Tend accessory equipment, such as pumps and conveyors, to move materials or ingredients through production processes | 7% | 20% to 60% | |
| Clean work areas | 6% | 30% to 75% | |
| Weigh or measure materials, ingredients, or products at specified intervals to ensure conformance to requirements | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Record data from operations, testing, and production on specified forms | 5% | 84% to 97% | |
| Examine materials, ingredients, or products, visually or with hands, to ensure conformance to established standards | 5% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Print Binding and Finishing Workers63% of tasks by 2035 · US median $42,290
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders64% of tasks by 2035 · US median $47,920
- Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders66% of tasks by 2035 · US median $41,590
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic63% of tasks by 2035 · US median $46,330
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2032. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders?
Machines can do 28% of the tasks of crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders today and 69% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 51-9021.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/crushing-grinding-and-polishing-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders/