Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary
The median grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary in the United States is $46,550 per year ($22.38/hour). Salaries range from $36,110 at the entry level to $62,600+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 67,000 grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to decline 12% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Median Salary
$46,550
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.38
per hour
Employment
67,000
jobs in the U.S.
Salary Distribution
10th percentile
$36,110
25th percentile
$39,390
Median
$46,550
75th percentile
$54,290
90th percentile
$62,600
Job Growth (2024-2034)
-12%
Decline
Annual Openings
5,500
jobs/year (growth + replacements)
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
Training Needed
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →Salary Map — Click a state for details
$38K$57Kâ– No data
Top Paying States
Oregon
$57K
+23%
Minnesota
$52K
+11%
Massachusetts
$51K
+9%
Vermont
$51K
+9%
West Virginia
$50K
+7%
Washington
$49K
+6%
New York
$49K
+6%
Kentucky
$49K
+6%
Connecticut
$49K
+4%
Nebraska
$49K
+4%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $57,290 | +23.1% |
| Minnesota | $51,780 | +11.2% |
| Massachusetts | $50,910 | +9.4% |
| Vermont | $50,640 | +8.8% |
| West Virginia | $49,950 | +7.3% |
| Washington | $49,300 | +5.9% |
| New York | $49,290 | +5.9% |
| Kentucky | $49,160 | +5.6% |
| Connecticut | $48,590 | +4.4% |
| Nebraska | $48,500 | +4.2% |
Showing 1–10 of 48
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $67,210 | +44.4% |
| Bend, OR | $60,180 | +29.3% |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $59,750 | +28.4% |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $58,680 | +26.1% |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $57,420 | +23.4% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $57,110 | +22.7% |
| Sandusky, OH | $56,670 | +21.7% |
| Rochester, MN | $55,990 | +20.3% |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $55,590 | +19.4% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $55,080 | +18.3% |
Showing 1–10 of 185
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earning $46,550/year would need 1280 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 1375 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries →📈 See how grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary trend (2011–2024) →