Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay in Milwaukee-Waukesha

In Milwaukee-Waukesha (WI), the median pay for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $22.96 an hour ($47,750 a year). About 1,080 people work in this job there.

$22.96Median hourly pay

$45,440–$56,750Middle half of workers, yearly

1,080People in this job in Milwaukee-Waukesha (WI)

That is 3% higher than the U.S. median ($46,550). It is about the same as the Wisconsin median ($47,330).

Pay range for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Milwaukee-Waukesha (WI)

Earns more than	Hourly	Yearly
10% of workers	$19.01	$39,530
25% of workers	$21.85	$45,440
Half of workers (median)	$22.96	$47,750
75% of workers	$27.29	$56,750
90% of workers	$29.29	$60,910

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

Metro area	Median yearly pay	People in this job
Sheboygan	$52,310	200
Janesville-Beloit	$50,650	50
Appleton	$49,500	100
Eau Claire	$49,010	120
Oshkosh-Neenah	$48,390	140
Milwaukee-Waukesha (this page)	$47,750	1,080
Madison	$47,220	310
Green Bay	$46,790	150
Kenosha	$46,740	70
Fond du Lac	$45,850	40
Racine-Mount Pleasant	$45,560	70
Wausau	$40,580	160

Wisconsin unemployment rate: 3.2% (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 Milwaukee-Waukesha (WI)

Job	Median yearly pay
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$48,650
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$49,080
Machinists	$60,320
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers	$59,390
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$43,390

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.