Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, & Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, & Tenders, Metal & Plastic Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
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. Before interviews, many candidates work through interview preparation guides for this kind of role.
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 |
Career Essentials
Median Salary by State
| 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 |
Recommended Gear & Prep
Negotiating the offer? A salary negotiation guide helps you anchor to the percentiles above.
Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · Page built 2026-07-18