Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay in the United States

In the U.S., the median pay for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $22.38 an hour ($46,550 a year). About 67,000 people work in this job there.

$22.38Median hourly pay
$39,390–$54,290Middle half of workers, yearly
67,000People in this job in the U.S.

Pay range for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the U.S.

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$17.36$36,110
25% of workers$18.94$39,390
Half of workers (median)$22.38$46,550
75% of workers$26.10$54,290
90% of workers$30.10$62,600

Best-paying states for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

StateMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Oregon$57,2901,180
Minnesota$51,7801,400
Massachusetts$50,9102,420
Vermont$50,640300
West Virginia$49,950200
Washington$49,3001,870
New York$49,2902,410
Kentucky$49,160850
Connecticut$48,5901,530
Nebraska$48,500300

Pay by state

Education, experience and outlook for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

  • Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
  • Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
  • Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
  • Job outlook: -10.8% over ten years, declining · about 4,500 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in the U.S.

JobMedian yearly pay
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$46,330
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$47,180
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing$43,380
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$46,570
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$48,540
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$50,140
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$50,620
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$52,800

Other job titles for this job

GrinderAutomatic Grinder OperatorBench GrinderBillet GrinderBit GrinderBlade GrinderBrass BufferBuffererBuffing Line Set Up WorkerBuffing Machine OperatorBuffing Machine TenderCell Operator

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.