Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim

In Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (CA), the median pay for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $21.85 an hour ($45,440 a year). About 3,920 people work in this job there.

$21.85Median hourly pay
$38,760–$55,130Middle half of workers, yearly
3,920People in this job in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (CA)

That is 2% lower than the U.S. median ($46,550). It is about the same as the California median ($45,890).

Pay range for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (CA)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$17.21$35,790
25% of workers$18.64$38,760
Half of workers (median)$21.85$45,440
75% of workers$26.50$55,130
90% of workers$30.37$63,170

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay in California metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara$49,230830
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont$48,320650
Vallejo$47,63060
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad$46,160500
Bakersfield-Delano$45,50040
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (this page)$45,4403,920
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom$45,050140
Modesto$44,78070
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura$44,580220
Stockton-Lodi$44,160100
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario$43,130830
Fresno$40,040100

California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (CA)

JobMedian yearly pay
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$48,640
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$44,870
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$46,810
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$60,110
Machinists$55,660
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$56,160
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$47,960
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$46,420

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.