Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary by State
Also called: Grinding and Buffing Machine Tool Operators
The national median pay for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $46,550 a year. By state, it ranges from $38,020 in New Mexico to $57,290 in Oregon.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $36,110
- 25th percentile
- $39,390
- Median
- $46,550
- 75th percentile
- $54,290
- Top 10%
- $62,600
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 67,000 jobs.
Median pay in 48 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $57,290 | +23% | $41,330 | $75,290 | 1,180 |
| 2 | Minnesota | $51,780 | +11% | $42,030 | $81,810 | 1,400 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $50,910 | +9% | $39,610 | $75,340 | 2,420 |
| 4 | Vermont | $50,640 | +9% | $48,360 | $59,960 | 300 |
| 5 | West Virginia | $49,950 | +7% | $32,130 | $69,760 | 200 |
| 6 | Washington | $49,300 | +6% | $38,630 | $70,320 | 1,870 |
| 7 | New York | $49,290 | +6% | $37,300 | $73,220 | 2,410 |
| 8 | Kentucky | $49,160 | +6% | $37,260 | $73,540 | 850 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $48,590 | +4% | $36,470 | $63,510 | 1,530 |
| 10 | Nebraska | $48,500 | +4% | $33,280 | $59,510 | 300 |
| 11 | South Carolina | $48,040 | +3% | $38,540 | $60,050 | 1,730 |
| 12 | North Carolina | $47,770 | +3% | $34,690 | $58,950 | 1,610 |
| 13 | North Dakota | $47,670 | +2% | $47,200 | $65,530 | Not published |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | $47,650 | +2% | $36,540 | $60,040 | 3,830 |
| 15 | Wisconsin | $47,330 | +2% | $37,030 | $60,540 | 3,570 |
| 16 | Indiana | $47,310 | +2% | $38,790 | $61,360 | 4,170 |
| 17 | Maine | $47,230 | +1% | $37,780 | $56,630 | 170 |
| 18 | Wyoming | $46,800 | +1% | $44,830 | $55,710 | 30 |
| 19 | New Hampshire | $46,580 | 0% | $38,730 | $60,020 | 600 |
| 20 | Iowa | $46,380 | 0% | $38,330 | $70,410 | 890 |
| 21 | Missouri | $46,270 | −1% | $37,140 | $64,030 | 1,210 |
| 22 | Illinois | $46,180 | −1% | $37,530 | $63,400 | 4,100 |
| 23 | Nevada | $46,140 | −1% | $37,550 | $73,040 | 170 |
| 24 | Colorado | $46,120 | −1% | $37,960 | $58,460 | 500 |
| 25 | Idaho | $45,980 | −1% | $36,940 | $53,270 | 170 |
| 26 | California | $45,890 | −1% | $36,510 | $62,630 | 7,800 |
| 27 | Georgia | $45,850 | −2% | $36,950 | $60,530 | 940 |
| 28 | Michigan | $45,460 | −2% | $35,850 | $60,090 | 4,180 |
| 29 | Ohio | $45,270 | −3% | $35,730 | $63,620 | 5,960 |
| 30 | Arizona | $44,990 | −3% | $37,340 | $57,060 | 670 |
| 31 | Tennessee | $44,710 | −4% | $34,880 | $55,240 | 1,340 |
| 32 | New Jersey | $44,450 | −5% | $32,490 | $67,180 | 860 |
| 33 | Delaware | $44,390 | −5% | $35,700 | $54,200 | 50 |
| 34 | Utah | $44,320 | −5% | $34,950 | $56,250 | 400 |
| 35 | Rhode Island | $43,650 | −6% | $37,150 | $70,430 | 140 |
| 36 | Maryland | $43,530 | −6% | $31,560 | $54,100 | 160 |
| 37 | Virginia | $43,170 | −7% | $29,310 | $60,410 | 620 |
| 38 | Kansas | $42,710 | −8% | $35,520 | $49,980 | 1,010 |
| 39 | Mississippi | $42,660 | −8% | $30,440 | $63,620 | 430 |
| 40 | Texas | $42,250 | −9% | $29,380 | $52,260 | 2,960 |
| 41 | Montana | $41,740 | −10% | $34,590 | $53,580 | 160 |
| 42 | Florida | $40,310 | −13% | $34,790 | $56,670 | 1,020 |
| 43 | Arkansas | $39,590 | −15% | $33,690 | $50,490 | 340 |
| 44 | South Dakota | $39,060 | −16% | $31,710 | $51,200 | 130 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $38,650 | −17% | $30,790 | $55,500 | 160 |
| 46 | Oklahoma | $38,570 | −17% | $29,290 | $54,590 | 870 |
| 47 | Alabama | $38,170 | −18% | $29,340 | $56,180 | 1,500 |
| 48 | New Mexico | $38,020 | −18% | $32,220 | $49,400 | 30 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary questions
Which state pays grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the most?
Oregon, with a median of $57,290 a year (+23% vs. the national median of $46,550). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the least?
New Mexico, with a median of $38,020 a year (−18% vs. national).
Where do most grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic work?
California has the most jobs, about 7,800, with a median of $45,890.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.