Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, & Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, & Tenders, Metal & Plastic Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
✓ Sourced directly from BLS OES · Checked for accuracy at every rebuild · Last updated: 2026-09-02
BLS OES May 2025 · SOC 51-4033As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
US Salary Overview
The national median wage for grinding, lapping, polishing, & buffing machine tool setters, operators, & tenders, metal & plastic in the United States is $46,550 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Around 67,000 people are employed in this occupation nationally. UK data is not available for this occupation — the UK's SOC 2020 classification has no direct equivalent. Signing an offer? Employment contract templates at LawDepot cover offer letters, NDAs and employment agreements.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,110 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $39,390 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $46,550 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $54,290 | Experienced |
| 90th | $62,600 | Senior / highest decile |
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| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $57,290 | $58,530 | 1,000 |
| Minnesota | $51,780 | $56,470 | 1,000 |
| Massachusetts | $50,910 | $54,320 | 2,000 |
| Vermont | $50,640 | $54,310 | 300 |
| West Virginia | $49,950 | $48,900 | 200 |
| Washington | $49,300 | $53,290 | 2,000 |
| New York | $49,290 | $52,640 | 2,000 |
| Kentucky | $49,160 | $51,730 | 850 |
| Connecticut | $48,590 | $49,690 | 2,000 |
| Nebraska | $48,500 | $47,420 | 300 |
| South Carolina | $48,040 | $49,970 | 2,000 |
| North Carolina | $47,770 | $47,010 | 2,000 |
| North Dakota | $47,670 | $51,360 | — |
| Pennsylvania | $47,650 | $47,840 | 4,000 |
| Wisconsin | $47,330 | $48,520 | 4,000 |
| Indiana | $47,310 | $48,670 | 4,000 |
| Maine | $47,230 | $47,440 | 170 |
| Wyoming | $46,800 | $49,190 | 30 |
| New Hampshire | $46,580 | $48,230 | 600 |
| Iowa | $46,380 | $49,130 | 890 |
| Missouri | $46,270 | $50,700 | 1,000 |
| Illinois | $46,180 | $48,750 | 4,000 |
| Nevada | $46,140 | $49,150 | 170 |
| Colorado | $46,120 | $47,210 | 500 |
| Idaho | $45,980 | $45,270 | 170 |
| California | $45,890 | $48,450 | 8,000 |
| Georgia | $45,850 | $46,330 | 940 |
| Michigan | $45,460 | $46,830 | 4,000 |
| Ohio | $45,270 | $47,070 | 6,000 |
| Arizona | $44,990 | $45,910 | 670 |
| Tennessee | $44,710 | $44,740 | 1,000 |
| New Jersey | $44,450 | $45,940 | 860 |
| Delaware | $44,390 | $43,760 | 50 |
| Utah | $44,320 | $45,490 | 400 |
| Rhode Island | $43,650 | $49,300 | 140 |
| Maryland | $43,530 | $43,890 | 160 |
| Virginia | $43,170 | $43,310 | 620 |
| Kansas | $42,710 | $42,810 | 1,000 |
| Mississippi | $42,660 | $45,900 | 430 |
| Texas | $42,250 | $42,170 | 3,000 |
| Montana | $41,740 | $42,390 | 160 |
| Florida | $40,310 | $43,250 | 1,000 |
| Arkansas | $39,590 | $42,920 | 340 |
| South Dakota | $39,060 | $40,130 | 130 |
| Louisiana | $38,650 | $41,150 | 160 |
| Oklahoma | $38,570 | $41,490 | 870 |
| Alabama | $38,170 | $41,330 | 2,000 |
| New Mexico | $38,020 | $40,490 | 30 |
| Puerto Rico | $31,400 | $35,410 | 60 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a grinding, lapping, polishing, & buffing machine tool setters, operators, & tenders, metal & plastic in the US?
The US national median wage for grinding, lapping, polishing, & buffing machine tool setters, operators, & tenders, metal & plastic is $46,550 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
What is the pay range for grinding, lapping, polishing, & buffing machine tool setters, operators, & tenders, metal & plastic in the US?
Pay ranges from $36,110 at the 10th percentile to $62,600 at the 90th percentile. This difference typically reflects experience level, employer size, and location.
Which US states pay grinding, lapping, polishing, & buffing machine tool setters, operators, & tenders, metal & plastic the most?
The highest-paying states for grinding, lapping, polishing, & buffing machine tool setters, operators, & tenders, metal & plastic include Oregon ($57,290), Minnesota ($51,780), Massachusetts ($50,910). Pay varies by state due to cost of living, local demand and industry concentration.
How much does grinding, lapping, polishing, & buffing machine tool setters, operators, & tenders, metal & plastic salary vary by state?
The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying states is significant — Oregon ($57,290) pays roughly 82% more than Puerto Rico ($31,400). Check the state breakdown above for the exact figure in your location.
Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · Page built 2026-09-02