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

In Washington, the median pay for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $23.70 an hour ($49,300 a year). About 1,870 people work in this job there.

$23.70Median hourly pay

$45,130–$59,250Middle half of workers, yearly

1,870People in this job in Washington

That is 6% higher than the U.S. median ($46,550). Washington ranks 6th 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 Washington

Earns more than	Hourly	Yearly
10% of workers	$18.57	$38,630
25% of workers	$21.70	$45,130
Half of workers (median)	$23.70	$49,300
75% of workers	$28.49	$59,250
90% of workers	$33.81	$70,320

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

Metro area	Median yearly pay	People in this job
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	$53,930	1,050
Longview-Kelso	$53,620	50
Mount Vernon-Anacortes	$50,300	40
Spokane-Spokane Valley	$46,680	340
Yakima	$46,020	40

Washington unemployment rate: 4.9% (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 Washington

Job	Median yearly pay
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$51,160
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing	$52,980
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$50,540
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$50,430
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers	$63,020
Machinists	$66,160
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$48,290
Tool and Die Makers	$109,390

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.