Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the United States was $46,550 ($22.38 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,110 | $17.36 |
| 25th | $39,390 | $18.94 |
| Median | $46,550 | $22.38 |
| 75th | $54,290 | $26.10 |
| 90th | $62,600 | $30.10 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 51-4033
- Total U.S. employment: 67,000
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
What the data says
The median wage in this area is 0.0% below the national median — a difference of about $0 per year for a typical worker.
With approximately 67,000 grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic employed, this is a major occupation in the labor market.
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $38,170 | $18.35 | -18.0% | 1,500 |
| Arizona | $44,990 | $21.63 | -3.4% | 670 |
| Arkansas | $39,590 | $19.03 | -15.0% | 340 |
| California | $45,890 | $22.06 | -1.4% | 7,800 |
| Colorado | $46,120 | $22.17 | -0.9% | 500 |
| Connecticut | $48,590 | $23.36 | +4.4% | 1,530 |
| Delaware | $44,390 | $21.34 | -4.6% | 50 |
| Florida | $40,310 | $19.38 | -13.4% | 1,020 |
| Georgia | $45,850 | $22.04 | -1.5% | 940 |
| Idaho | $45,980 | $22.11 | -1.2% | 170 |
| Illinois | $46,180 | $22.20 | -0.8% | 4,100 |
| Indiana | $47,310 | $22.74 | +1.6% | 4,170 |
| Iowa | $46,380 | $22.30 | -0.4% | 890 |
| Kansas | $42,710 | $20.53 | -8.2% | 1,010 |
| Kentucky | $49,160 | $23.63 | +5.6% | 850 |
| Louisiana | $38,650 | $18.58 | -17.0% | 160 |
| Maine | $47,230 | $22.71 | +1.5% | 170 |
| Maryland | $43,530 | $20.93 | -6.5% | 160 |
| Massachusetts | $50,910 | $24.48 | +9.4% | 2,420 |
| Michigan | $45,460 | $21.85 | -2.3% | 4,180 |
| Minnesota | $51,780 | $24.90 | +11.2% | 1,400 |
| Mississippi | $42,660 | $20.51 | -8.4% | 430 |
| Missouri | $46,270 | $22.25 | -0.6% | 1,210 |
| Montana | $41,740 | $20.07 | -10.3% | 160 |
| Nebraska | $48,500 | $23.32 | +4.2% | 300 |
| Nevada | $46,140 | $22.18 | -0.9% | 170 |
| New Hampshire | $46,580 | $22.40 | +0.1% | 600 |
| New Jersey | $44,450 | $21.37 | -4.5% | 860 |
| New Mexico | $38,020 | $18.28 | -18.3% | 30 |
| New York | $49,290 | $23.70 | +5.9% | 2,410 |
| North Carolina | $47,770 | $22.97 | +2.6% | 1,610 |
| North Dakota | $47,670 | $22.92 | +2.4% | 0 |
| Ohio | $45,270 | $21.76 | -2.7% | 5,960 |
| Oklahoma | $38,570 | $18.54 | -17.1% | 870 |
| Oregon | $57,290 | $27.54 | +23.1% | 1,180 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,650 | $22.91 | +2.4% | 3,830 |
| Rhode Island | $43,650 | $20.99 | -6.2% | 140 |
| South Carolina | $48,040 | $23.10 | +3.2% | 1,730 |
| South Dakota | $39,060 | $18.78 | -16.1% | 130 |
| Tennessee | $44,710 | $21.50 | -4.0% | 1,340 |
| Texas | $42,250 | $20.31 | -9.2% | 2,960 |
| Utah | $44,320 | $21.31 | -4.8% | 400 |
| Vermont | $50,640 | $24.35 | +8.8% | 300 |
| Virginia | $43,170 | $20.76 | -7.3% | 620 |
| Washington | $49,300 | $23.70 | +5.9% | 1,870 |
| West Virginia | $49,950 | $24.02 | +7.3% | 200 |
| Wisconsin | $47,330 | $22.76 | +1.7% | 3,570 |
| Wyoming | $46,800 | $22.50 | +0.5% | 30 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
The median annual wage for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $46,550 ($22.38 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 67,000 grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $22.38. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.