How much does a grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make?
The median grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the United States earns $46,550 per year, about $22.38 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-4033.
Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary range
Pay for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $36,110 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $62,600. The average (mean) wage of $48,170 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 | $36,110 | $17.36 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $39,390 | $18.94 | |
| Median (50th) | $46,550 | $22.38 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $54,290 | $26.10 | |
| 90th percentile | $62,600 | $30.10 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic (SOC 51-4033), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn the most in Oregon at $57,290 a year, and the least in New Mexico at $38,020. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $57,290 | 1,180 |
| Minnesota | $51,780 | 1,400 |
| Massachusetts | $50,910 | 2,420 |
| Vermont | $50,640 | 300 |
| West Virginia | $49,950 | 200 |
| Washington | $49,300 | 1,870 |
| New York | $49,290 | 2,410 |
| Kentucky | $49,160 | 850 |
| Connecticut | $48,590 | 1,530 |
| Nebraska | $48,500 | 300 |
| South Carolina | $48,040 | 1,730 |
| North Carolina | $47,770 | 1,610 |
| North Dakota | $47,670 | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $47,650 | 3,830 |
| Wisconsin | $47,330 | 3,570 |
| Indiana | $47,310 | 4,170 |
| Maine | $47,230 | 170 |
| Wyoming | $46,800 | 30 |
| New Hampshire | $46,580 | 600 |
| Iowa | $46,380 | 890 |
| Missouri | $46,270 | 1,210 |
| Illinois | $46,180 | 4,100 |
| Nevada | $46,140 | 170 |
| Colorado | $46,120 | 500 |
| Idaho | $45,980 | 170 |
| California | $45,890 | 7,800 |
| Georgia | $45,850 | 940 |
| Michigan | $45,460 | 4,180 |
| Ohio | $45,270 | 5,960 |
| Arizona | $44,990 | 670 |
| Tennessee | $44,710 | 1,340 |
| New Jersey | $44,450 | 860 |
| Delaware | $44,390 | 50 |
| Utah | $44,320 | 400 |
| Rhode Island | $43,650 | 140 |
| Maryland | $43,530 | 160 |
| Virginia | $43,170 | 620 |
| Kansas | $42,710 | 1,010 |
| Mississippi | $42,660 | 430 |
| Texas | $42,250 | 2,960 |
| Montana | $41,740 | 160 |
| Florida | $40,310 | 1,020 |
| Arkansas | $39,590 | 340 |
| South Dakota | $39,060 | 130 |
| Louisiana | $38,650 | 160 |
| Oklahoma | $38,570 | 870 |
| Alabama | $38,170 | 1,500 |
| New Mexico | $38,020 | 30 |
State median wages for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic (SOC 51-4033), 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, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
The BLS projects employment of grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 10.8%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 68,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 61,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 4,500 openings a year for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic. 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, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
The typical entry-level education for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic 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 grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic 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 (Oregon, $57,290) and the lowest (New Mexico, $38,020) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 67,000 people work as grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the United States. At $46,550 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary FAQ
How much does a grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $22.38. The middle half of grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn between $18.94 and $26.10 per hour.
What is the highest grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn more than $62,600 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make a year?
The median annual salary for a grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $46,550. The average (mean) wage of $48,170 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, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic a well paid job?
At $46,550 a year, a grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 67,000 people work as grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the United States.
Which state pays grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the most?
Oregon has the highest median salary for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic at $57,290 a year. Minnesota ($51,780) and Massachusetts ($50,910) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic a good career?
Employment of grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is projected to shrink 10.8% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 4,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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