SOC 514033

Grinding/Lapping/Polishing/Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic work pieces.

National Median

$45,190

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$45,190

Entry Level (10th pct)

$34,980

Experienced (90th pct)

$61,550

Total Employed

70,110

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$34,980 - $38,420
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$38,420 - $51,380
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$51,380 - $61,550

Highest Paying Locations for Grinding/Lapping/Polishing/Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

St. Louis, MO-IL

$58,920

+30.4% vs national

Missouri

$58,920

+30.4% vs national

Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area

$58,380

+29.2% vs national

St. Cloud, MN

$55,580

+23.0% vs national

Fort Smith, AR-OK

$55,410

+22.6% vs national

Grinding/Lapping/Polishing/Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
St. Louis, MO-IL	$58,920	1,100
Missouri	$58,920	1,480
Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area	$58,380	290
St. Cloud, MN	$55,580	70
Fort Smith, AR-OK	$55,410	110
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$55,280	920
Upper Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area	$53,760	140
Southwestern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area	$53,550	130
Spartanburg, SC	$53,350	200
Asheville, NC	$53,180	100
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	$52,850	740
Southeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area	$52,550	120
Wilmington, NC	$52,280	40
Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area	$52,020	180
Longview-Kelso, WA	$51,880	30
Oregon	$51,850	1,160
Springfield, MA	$51,670	360
East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area	$51,460	160
Reading, PA	$51,380	470
Northwestern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area	$51,360	30
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH	$51,360	50
Pueblo, CO	$50,940	50
Sheboygan, WI	$50,850	140
Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area	$50,780	120
Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area	$50,600	100
Tyler, TX	$50,530	50
Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area	$50,350	160
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA	$50,330	40
Peoria, IL	$50,330	380
Utica-Rome, NY	$50,290	170
Charleston-North Charleston, SC	$50,290	170
Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC	$50,080	260
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$49,770	130
Bend, OR	$49,750	50
Northwestern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area	$49,630	210
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$49,590	1,030
Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area	$49,590	130
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$49,470	1,250
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	$49,420	40
Northern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area	$49,310	40
Northwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area	$49,300	190
Albany, OR	$49,200	150
Minnesota	$49,180	1,490
Vermont	$49,160	220
Burlington-South Burlington, VT	$49,160	60
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$49,120	1,590
West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area	$48,870	530
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$48,750	570
Massachusetts	$48,690	2,330
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$48,650	720

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Grinding/Lapping/Polishing/Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?

The national median annual salary for Grinding/Lapping/Polishing/Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is $45,190, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Grinding/Lapping/Polishing/Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Grinding/Lapping/Polishing/Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics is St. Louis, MO-IL, with a median salary of $58,920.

How much can an experienced Grinding/Lapping/Polishing/Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make?

Top-earning Grinding/Lapping/Polishing/Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics (90th percentile) make $61,550 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.