Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay in New Jersey

In New Jersey, the median pay for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $21.37 an hour ($44,450 a year). About 860 people work in this job there.

$21.37Median hourly pay
$36,300–$51,540Middle half of workers, yearly
860People in this job in New Jersey

That is 5% lower than the U.S. median ($46,550). New Jersey ranks 32nd of 48 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in New Jersey

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$15.62$32,490
25% of workers$17.45$36,300
Half of workers (median)$21.37$44,450
75% of workers$24.78$51,540
90% of workers$32.30$67,180

New Jersey unemployment rate: 4.3% (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 New Jersey

JobMedian yearly pay
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$41,390
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$45,680
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$48,600
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$46,690
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$59,440
Machinists$63,190
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$39,950
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$51,180

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.