How much does a grinding and polishing worker make?
The median grinding and polishing worker in the United States earns $42,660 per year, about $20.51 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all grinding and polishing workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-9022.
Grinding and polishing worker salary range
Pay for grinding and polishing workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $33,480 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $60,810. The average (mean) wage of $45,020 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 | $33,480 | $16.09 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $37,450 | $18.00 | |
| Median (50th) | $42,660 | $20.51 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $49,980 | $24.03 | |
| 90th percentile | $60,810 | $29.23 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for grinding and polishing workers, hand (SOC 51-9022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Grinding and polishing worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Grinding and polishing workers earn the most in Vermont at $56,850 a year, and the least in New Mexico at $28,640. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | $56,850 | 50 |
| Minnesota | $51,930 | 120 |
| Rhode Island | $51,630 | 130 |
| Montana | $50,460 | N/A |
| Virginia | $48,830 | 330 |
| Connecticut | $48,670 | 230 |
| Kansas | $48,410 | 100 |
| Maryland | $48,390 | N/A |
| New Hampshire | $47,920 | 40 |
| New Jersey | $47,840 | 300 |
| Wisconsin | $47,790 | 290 |
| Delaware | $47,780 | 40 |
| Missouri | $47,360 | 180 |
| Washington | $47,290 | 90 |
| Iowa | $47,280 | N/A |
| New York | $47,240 | 440 |
| South Carolina | $45,710 | 260 |
| Nevada | $45,310 | 90 |
| California | $44,450 | 1,850 |
| Michigan | $44,430 | 650 |
| Massachusetts | $42,700 | 170 |
| Oregon | $42,380 | 160 |
| Georgia | $40,660 | 220 |
| Colorado | $40,600 | 70 |
| Pennsylvania | $40,510 | 140 |
| Ohio | $40,310 | 490 |
| Mississippi | $40,280 | 30 |
| West Virginia | $39,870 | N/A |
| Florida | $39,480 | 510 |
| Arkansas | $38,960 | 140 |
| Indiana | $38,810 | 620 |
| Oklahoma | $38,340 | 160 |
| Arizona | $38,280 | 560 |
| Texas | $38,170 | 840 |
| North Carolina | $37,600 | 330 |
| Illinois | $36,590 | 60 |
| Alabama | $35,620 | 150 |
| Tennessee | $33,830 | 80 |
| Louisiana | $33,160 | 90 |
| New Mexico | $28,640 | 120 |
State median wages for grinding and polishing workers, hand (SOC 51-9022), 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 grinding and polishing workers
The BLS projects employment of grinding and polishing workers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 19.2%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 10,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 8,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 700 openings a year for grinding and polishing workers. 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 grinding and polishing worker
The typical entry-level education for grinding and polishing workers is no formal educational credential, 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 grinding and polishing worker 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 (Vermont, $56,850) and the lowest (New Mexico, $28,640) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 10,510 people work as grinding and polishing workers in the United States. At $42,660 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Grinding and polishing worker salary FAQ
How much does a grinding and polishing worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a grinding and polishing worker is $20.51. The middle half of grinding and polishing workers earn between $18.00 and $24.03 per hour.
What is the highest grinding and polishing worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of grinding and polishing workers earn more than $60,810 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a grinding and polishing worker make a year?
The median annual salary for a grinding and polishing worker is $42,660. The average (mean) wage of $45,020 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 grinding and polishing worker a well paid job?
At $42,660 a year, a grinding and polishing worker earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 10,510 people work as grinding and polishing workers in the United States.
Which state pays grinding and polishing workers the most?
Vermont has the highest median salary for grinding and polishing workers at $56,850 a year. Minnesota ($51,930) and Rhode Island ($51,630) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a grinding and polishing worker a good career?
Employment of grinding and polishing workers is projected to shrink 19.2% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a grinding and polishing worker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for grinding and polishing workers as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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