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

In Pennsylvania, the median pay for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $22.91 an hour ($47,650 a year). About 3,830 people work in this job there.

$22.91Median hourly pay
$40,090–$53,090Middle half of workers, yearly
3,830People in this job in Pennsylvania

That is 2% higher than the U.S. median ($46,550). Pennsylvania ranks 14th 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 Pennsylvania

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$17.57$36,540
25% of workers$19.27$40,090
Half of workers (median)$22.91$47,650
75% of workers$25.53$53,090
90% of workers$28.86$60,040

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

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Reading$53,090350
Pittsburgh$48,530680
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton$48,370460
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington$47,650710
Lancaster$47,350190
Erie$45,390320
Harrisburg-Carlisle$45,10070
York-Hanover$44,450210
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre$39,44090

Pennsylvania unemployment rate: 3.7% (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 Pennsylvania

JobMedian yearly pay
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$47,860
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$48,070
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing$44,980
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$66,970
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$46,850
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$52,560
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$57,020
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$52,900

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.