How much does a crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tender make?
The median crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tender in the United States earns $48,540 per year, about $23.34 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-9021.
Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tender salary range
Pay for crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $36,520 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $69,240. The average (mean) wage of $51,380 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,520 | $17.56 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $40,430 | $19.44 | |
| Median (50th) | $48,540 | $23.34 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $60,040 | $28.87 | |
| 90th percentile | $69,240 | $33.29 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders (SOC 51-9021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tender salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders earn the most in Wyoming at $71,300 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $37,420. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $71,300 | 170 |
| Alaska | $68,730 | 60 |
| Iowa | $62,590 | 1,420 |
| Nevada | $60,180 | 660 |
| Montana | $60,110 | 260 |
| Nebraska | $58,920 | 270 |
| Vermont | $58,890 | 160 |
| West Virginia | $58,760 | 160 |
| New York | $58,090 | 950 |
| Minnesota | $56,550 | 660 |
| Oregon | $55,600 | 490 |
| Wisconsin | $54,580 | 530 |
| Maine | $54,080 | 150 |
| Connecticut | $53,130 | 200 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,560 | 980 |
| Alabama | $51,920 | 610 |
| Utah | $51,770 | 260 |
| Idaho | $51,500 | 370 |
| Indiana | $51,150 | 920 |
| New Hampshire | $50,360 | 130 |
| Arizona | $50,270 | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $50,110 | 370 |
| North Dakota | $49,280 | 310 |
| Missouri | $48,840 | 750 |
| Kansas | $48,570 | 470 |
| South Dakota | $48,330 | 120 |
| Illinois | $48,290 | 710 |
| Washington | $48,020 | 470 |
| Colorado | $46,950 | 520 |
| Florida | $46,950 | 520 |
| New Jersey | $46,690 | 560 |
| Michigan | $46,500 | 670 |
| North Carolina | $46,270 | 560 |
| Georgia | $45,920 | 800 |
| California | $45,870 | 2,370 |
| New Mexico | $45,760 | 170 |
| Virginia | $45,560 | 530 |
| South Carolina | $45,280 | 330 |
| Texas | $45,090 | 1,440 |
| Louisiana | $44,900 | 200 |
| Ohio | $43,850 | 1,590 |
| Tennessee | $42,950 | 1,290 |
| Kentucky | $42,520 | 200 |
| Maryland | $42,280 | 140 |
| Arkansas | $38,910 | 520 |
| Oklahoma | $38,380 | 390 |
| Mississippi | $37,420 | 170 |
State median wages for crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders (SOC 51-9021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders
The BLS projects employment of crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 1.7%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 26,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 26,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,300 openings a year for crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tender
The typical entry-level education for crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tender earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Wyoming, $71,300) and the lowest (Mississippi, $37,420) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 26,000 people work as crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders in the United States. At $48,540 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tender salary FAQ
How much does a crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tender make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tender is $23.34. The middle half of crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders earn between $19.44 and $28.87 per hour.
What is the highest crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tender salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders earn more than $69,240 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tender make a year?
The median annual salary for a crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tender is $48,540. The average (mean) wage of $51,380 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tender a well paid job?
At $48,540 a year, a crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tender earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 26,000 people work as crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders in the United States.
Which state pays crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders the most?
Wyoming has the highest median salary for crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders at $71,300 a year. Alaska ($68,730) and Iowa ($62,590) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tender a good career?
Employment of crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders is projected to shrink 1.7% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tender?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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