Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary Trend (2011–2024)
Historical salary and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Median Salary in 2024
$45,190
↑ 44.5% since 2011
Median Salary Over Time
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — Median Annual Salary
Employment Over Time
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — Total Employment
Key Insights
📈Salaries grew 44.5% since 2011 ($31,280 → $45,190)
🏆Peak year: 2024 at $45,190
🦠COVID impact: Salary rose 2.2% from 2019 to 2020, likely reflecting workforce composition changes.
💰After inflation (~3%/yr), real growth is approximately -2%
Year-by-Year Salary Data
| Year | Median Salary | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $45,190 | +6.1% |
| 2023 | $42,610 | +9.5% |
| 2022 | $38,910 | +3.6% |
| 2021 | $37,550 | +1.8% |
| 2020 | $36,880 | +2.2% |
| 2019 | $36,100 | +3.6% |
| 2018 | $34,850 | +4.1% |
| 2017 | $33,480 | +1.8% |
| 2016 | $32,890 | +0.2% |
| 2015 | $32,840 | +0.6% |
| 2014 | $32,660 | +1.4% |
| 2013 | $32,220 | +1.9% |
| 2012 | $31,620 | +1.1% |
| 2011 | $31,280 | — |
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2011–2024. All figures are annual median wages in nominal dollars.