Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn a median $46,550 a year nationally. Production Occupations
What grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do
Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic work pieces.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -10.8% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 4,500
- Self-employed
- 2%
Employment of grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is projected to shrink 10.8% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 4,500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,406
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,886
- Medicare (1.45%)$675
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$39,583
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,110 | $17.36 | $31,194 |
| 25th percentile | $39,390 | $18.94 | $33,830 |
| Median (50th) | $46,550 | $22.38 | $39,583 |
| 75th percentile | $54,290 | $26.10 | $45,802 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,600 | $30.10 | $52,479 |
Best cities for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago, IL | $46,420 | $37,325 | $36,030 | 3,110 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $45,440 | $37,293 | $32,839 | 3,920 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Chicago, IL — $46,420
- Los Angeles, CA — $45,440
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $57,290 | +10.5% | $44,029 | $41,330 – $75,290 | 1,180 |
| Minnesota | $51,780 | +5.3% | $41,788 | $42,030 – $81,810 | 1,400 |
| Massachusetts | $50,910 | +4.6% | $40,761 | $39,610 – $75,340 | 2,420 |
| Vermont | $50,640 | +3.0% | $41,607 | $48,360 – $59,960 | 300 |
| West Virginia | $49,950 | +33.2% | $40,796 | $32,130 – $69,760 | 200 |
| Washington | $49,300 | +3.7% | $41,793 | $38,630 – $70,320 | 1,870 |
| New York | $49,290 | +7.4% | $39,720 | $37,300 – $73,220 | 2,410 |
| Kentucky | $49,160 | +18.6% | $40,077 | $37,260 – $73,540 | 850 |
| Connecticut | $48,590 | +2.3% | $39,961 | $36,470 – $63,510 | 1,530 |
| Nebraska | $48,500 | +3.8% | $39,823 | $33,280 – $59,510 | 300 |
| South Carolina | $48,040 | −0.4% | $39,055 | $38,540 – $60,050 | 1,730 |
| North Carolina | $47,770 | +0.6% | $39,166 | $34,690 – $58,950 | 1,610 |
| North Dakota | $47,670 | +3.2% | $40,483 | $47,200 – $65,530 | — |
| Pennsylvania | $47,650 | +4.6% | $39,004 | $36,540 – $60,040 | 3,830 |
| Wisconsin | $47,330 | +1.6% | $38,908 | $37,030 – $60,540 | 3,570 |
| Indiana | $47,310 | +6.1% | $38,827 | $38,790 – $61,360 | 4,170 |
| Maine | $47,230 | +1.7% | $38,123 | $37,780 – $56,630 | 170 |
| Wyoming | $46,800 | +3.0% | $39,784 | $44,830 – $55,710 | 30 |
| New Hampshire | $46,580 | +4.8% | $39,607 | $38,730 – $60,020 | 600 |
| Iowa | $46,380 | +3.3% | $38,336 | $38,330 – $70,410 | 890 |
| Missouri | $46,270 | −21.5% | $38,121 | $37,140 – $64,030 | 1,210 |
| Illinois | $46,180 | +0.5% | $37,145 | $37,530 – $63,400 | 4,100 |
| Nevada | $46,140 | +12.6% | $39,253 | $37,550 – $73,040 | 170 |
| Colorado | $46,120 | +1.5% | $37,917 | $37,960 – $58,460 | 500 |
| Idaho | $45,980 | −1.5% | $37,796 | $36,940 – $53,270 | 170 |
| California | $45,890 | +0.5% | $37,631 | $36,510 – $62,630 | 7,800 |
| Georgia | $45,850 | +4.4% | $37,264 | $36,950 – $60,530 | 940 |
| Michigan | $45,460 | +9.3% | $37,026 | $35,850 – $60,090 | 4,180 |
| Ohio | $45,270 | +9.3% | $38,092 | $35,730 – $63,620 | 5,960 |
| Arizona | $44,990 | +2.0% | $37,413 | $37,340 – $57,060 | 670 |
| Tennessee | $44,710 | −1.5% | $38,104 | $34,880 – $55,240 | 1,340 |
| New Jersey | $44,450 | +16.4% | $36,987 | $32,490 – $67,180 | 860 |
| Delaware | $44,390 | +37.0% | $36,061 | $35,700 – $54,200 | 50 |
| Utah | $44,320 | +3.3% | $36,763 | $34,950 – $56,250 | 400 |
| Rhode Island | $43,650 | +7.5% | $36,233 | $37,150 – $70,430 | 140 |
| Maryland | $43,530 | +7.9% | $35,452 | $31,560 – $54,100 | 160 |
| Virginia | $43,170 | −4.8% | $35,199 | $29,310 – $60,410 | 620 |
| Kansas | $42,710 | +5.5% | $34,914 | $35,520 – $49,980 | 1,010 |
| Mississippi | $42,660 | +3.0% | $35,483 | $30,440 – $63,620 | 430 |
| Texas | $42,250 | +8.3% | $36,128 | $29,380 – $52,260 | 2,960 |
| Montana | $41,740 | +9.6% | $34,513 | $34,590 – $53,580 | 160 |
| Florida | $40,310 | +4.1% | $34,569 | $34,790 – $56,670 | 1,020 |
| Arkansas | $39,590 | +0.4% | $32,659 | $33,690 – $50,490 | 340 |
| South Dakota | $39,060 | −2.8% | $33,565 | $31,710 – $51,200 | 130 |
| Louisiana | $38,650 | −10.1% | $32,462 | $30,790 – $55,500 | 160 |
| Oklahoma | $38,570 | −2.8% | $31,981 | $29,290 – $54,590 | 870 |
| Alabama | $38,170 | −1.9% | $31,206 | $29,340 – $56,180 | 1,500 |
| New Mexico | $38,020 | +3.3% | $32,062 | $32,220 – $49,400 | 30 |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make?
The national median salary for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $46,550 a year ($22.38 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,110 and the top 10% earn over $62,600. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the most?
Oregon has the highest median pay at $57,290. After taxes and local prices, Chicago, IL offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are there in the U.S.?
About 67,000 people work as grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic nationwide.