---
title: "Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic Salary by City"
description: "Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic pay in 184 US metro areas (BLS OEWS May 2025)."
canonical: "https://nuecareer.com/careers/grinding-lapping-polishing-and-buffing-machine-tool-setter-operator-and-tender-metal-and-plastic/salary-by-city"
last-updated: "2026-10-15T08:19:32.066Z"
---

# Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic salary by city

Mean annual wage for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic in 184 US metro areas with their own BLS estimate (OEWS May 2025, via the DOL OFLC 2026–27 wage file). National mean: $48,170. Entry and experienced are DOL prevailing-wage Levels I and IV, not percentiles.

| Rank | Metro area | Mean | Entry (Level I) | Experienced (Level IV) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [Portland, OR-WA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/portland-or) | $59,430 | $44,660 | $66,680 |
| 2 | Utica, NY | $57,890 | $43,580 | $64,920 |
| 3 | [Minneapolis, MN-WI](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/minneapolis-mn) | $57,800 | $45,010 | $64,080 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $57,800 | $46,260 | $63,500 |
| 5 | Bend, OR | $57,600 | $47,570 | $62,520 |
| 6 | [Canton, OH](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/canton-oh) | $57,600 | $40,850 | $65,830 |
| 7 | [Syracuse, NY](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/syracuse-ny) | $57,220 | $38,250 | $66,560 |
| 8 | Albany, OR | $56,760 | $43,160 | $63,480 |
| 9 | Waterloo, IA | $56,720 | $41,480 | $64,230 |
| 10 | [Seattle, WA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/seattle-wa) | $56,310 | $43,760 | $62,460 |
| 11 | [Springfield, MA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/springfield-ma) | $56,160 | $41,410 | $63,420 |
| 12 | Longview, WA | $55,810 | $45,140 | $61,070 |
| 13 | [Kiryas Joel, NY](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/kiryas-joel-ny) | $55,290 | $45,090 | $60,320 |
| 14 | [Boston, MA-NH](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/boston-ma) | $55,200 | $43,390 | $61,030 |
| 15 | St. Cloud, MN | $55,160 | $45,300 | $60,030 |
| 16 | [Bridgeport, CT](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/bridgeport-ct) | $55,100 | $40,560 | $62,250 |
| 17 | [Spartanburg, SC](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/spartanburg-sc) | $54,390 | $46,280 | $58,410 |
| 18 | [Charleston, SC](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/charleston-sc) | $54,200 | $42,240 | $60,110 |
| 19 | Vallejo, CA | $53,890 | $41,790 | $59,840 |
| 20 | Sheboygan, WI | $53,680 | $45,780 | $57,570 |
| 21 | Huntington, WV-KY-OH | $53,540 | $35,760 | $62,320 |
| 22 | Burlington, VT | $53,120 | $48,710 | $55,290 |
| 23 | Oshkosh, WI | $53,020 | $40,100 | $59,360 |
| 24 | Sandusky, OH | $52,690 | $41,600 | $58,140 |
| 25 | [San Francisco, CA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/san-francisco-ca) | $52,310 | $42,720 | $57,030 |
| 26 | Mount Vernon, WA | $52,060 | $42,620 | $56,720 |
| 27 | Staunton, VA | $52,020 | $38,210 | $58,840 |
| 28 | [Charlotte, NC-SC](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/charlotte-nc) | $52,000 | $42,390 | $56,720 |
| 29 | [Memphis, TN-MS-AR](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/memphis-tn) | $51,900 | $40,100 | $57,700 |
| 30 | Muskegon, MI | $51,830 | $38,020 | $58,640 |
| 31 | Saginaw, MI | $51,810 | $36,690 | $59,260 |
| 32 | [Kansas City, MO-KS](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/kansas-city-mo) | $51,750 | $38,210 | $58,430 |
| 33 | [Hartford, CT](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/hartford-ct) | $51,360 | $38,980 | $57,450 |
| 34 | Pueblo, CO | $51,210 | $43,200 | $55,160 |
| 35 | Appleton, WI | $51,170 | $41,390 | $55,990 |
| 36 | [Asheville, NC](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/asheville-nc) | $51,110 | $39,040 | $57,050 |
| 37 | Eau Claire, WI | $50,960 | $41,200 | $55,740 |
| 38 | [Bakersfield, CA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/bakersfield-ca) | $50,750 | $36,320 | $57,870 |
| 39 | [Reading, PA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/reading-pa) | $50,520 | $42,990 | $54,230 |
| 40 | [New York, NY-NJ](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/new-york-ny) | $50,460 | $37,500 | $56,850 |
| 41 | [St. Louis, MO-IL](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/st-louis-mo) | $50,420 | $38,380 | $56,350 |
| 42 | [Milwaukee, WI](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/milwaukee-wi) | $50,210 | $41,700 | $54,410 |
| 43 | [San Jose, CA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/san-jose-ca) | $50,170 | $42,600 | $53,890 |
| 44 | [Spokane, WA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/spokane-wa) | $50,090 | $39,480 | $55,330 |
| 45 | [Chicago, IL-IN](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/chicago-il) | $49,730 | $39,250 | $54,890 |
| 46 | [Pittsburgh, PA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/pittsburgh-pa) | $49,690 | $40,060 | $54,430 |
| 47 | [Peoria, IL](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/peoria-il) | $49,650 | $40,040 | $54,370 |
| 48 | Kenosha, WI | $49,610 | $39,330 | $54,660 |
| 49 | [San Diego, CA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/san-diego-ca) | $49,420 | $38,670 | $54,700 |
| 50 | [Portland, ME](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/portland-me) | $49,280 | $41,060 | $53,330 |
| 51 | [Indianapolis, IN](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/indianapolis-in) | $49,250 | $39,980 | $53,810 |
| 52 | Dubuque, IA | $49,110 | $43,890 | $51,690 |
| 53 | Janesville, WI | $49,050 | $42,370 | $52,330 |
| 54 | [Springfield, MO](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/springfield-mo) | $49,050 | $41,120 | $52,960 |
| 55 | [Buffalo, NY](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/buffalo-ny) | $48,980 | $37,540 | $54,620 |
| 56 | [Providence, RI-MA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/providence-ri) | $48,920 | $38,770 | $53,910 |
| 57 | [Albany, NY](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/albany-ny) | $48,650 | $39,870 | $52,980 |
| 58 | [Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/philadelphia-pa) | $48,650 | $39,210 | $53,310 |
| 59 | [Green Bay, WI](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/green-bay-wi) | $48,530 | $38,020 | $53,710 |
| 60 | [Worcester, MA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/worcester-ma) | $48,480 | $39,750 | $52,790 |
| 61 | Elkhart, IN | $48,400 | $41,910 | $51,600 |
| 62 | Morristown, TN | $48,380 | $34,090 | $55,410 |
| 63 | [Las Vegas, NV](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/las-vegas-nv) | $48,360 | $38,290 | $53,330 |
| 64 | [Los Angeles, CA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/los-angeles-ca) | $48,320 | $37,150 | $53,830 |
| 65 | [Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/louisville-jefferson-county-ky) | $48,320 | $38,480 | $53,190 |
| 66 | [Denver, CO](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/denver-co) | $48,280 | $39,230 | $52,730 |
| 67 | [Provo, UT](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/provo-ut) | $48,260 | $41,450 | $51,600 |
| 68 | Yakima, WA | $48,240 | $39,560 | $52,500 |
| 69 | [Detroit, MI](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/detroit-mi) | $48,090 | $37,250 | $53,410 |
| 70 | [New Haven, CT](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/new-haven-ct) | $48,090 | $37,770 | $53,190 |
| 71 | [Roanoke, VA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/roanoke-va) | $48,070 | $38,210 | $52,920 |
| 72 | [Greenville, SC](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/greenville-sc) | $48,030 | $38,020 | $52,960 |
| 73 | [Richmond, VA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/richmond-va) | $47,960 | $35,320 | $54,180 |
| 74 | [Fort Wayne, IN](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/fort-wayne-in) | $47,900 | $40,330 | $51,650 |
| 75 | [Greensboro, NC](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/greensboro-nc) | $47,880 | $39,100 | $52,210 |
| 76 | [Reno, NV](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/reno-nv) | $47,860 | $38,770 | $52,350 |
| 77 | Fond du Lac, WI | $47,840 | $39,400 | $51,980 |
| 78 | [Omaha, NE-IA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/omaha-ne) | $47,840 | $40,390 | $51,520 |
| 79 | [Lincoln, NE](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/lincoln-ne) | $47,760 | $41,270 | $50,960 |
| 80 | Norwich, CT | $47,670 | $39,310 | $51,790 |
| 81 | [Madison, WI](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/madison-wi) | $47,510 | $39,540 | $51,440 |
| 82 | [Oxnard, CA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/oxnard-ca) | $47,440 | $37,360 | $52,420 |
| 83 | [Augusta, GA-SC](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/augusta-ga) | $47,420 | $38,600 | $51,750 |
| 84 | [Des Moines, IA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/des-moines-ia) | $47,380 | $37,380 | $52,310 |
| 85 | Mansfield, OH | $47,340 | $37,130 | $52,370 |
| 86 | [Stockton, CA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/stockton-ca) | $47,320 | $37,380 | $52,230 |
| 87 | [Manchester, NH](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/manchester-nh) | $47,280 | $39,290 | $51,210 |
| 88 | [Davenport, IA-IL](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/davenport-ia) | $47,260 | $36,920 | $52,350 |
| 89 | Erie, PA | $47,150 | $33,900 | $53,680 |
| 90 | [Orlando, FL](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/orlando-fl) | $47,150 | $36,110 | $52,580 |
| 91 | [Atlanta, GA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/atlanta-ga) | $47,130 | $36,800 | $52,210 |
| 92 | Carson City, NV | $47,070 | $39,790 | $50,650 |
| 93 | [Deltona, FL](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/deltona-fl) | $47,070 | $37,960 | $51,540 |
| 94 | [Columbia, SC](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/columbia-sc) | $47,050 | $38,210 | $51,420 |
| 95 | Jackson, MI | $46,900 | $37,460 | $51,540 |
| 96 | [Sacramento, CA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/sacramento-ca) | $46,820 | $36,710 | $51,810 |
| 97 | [Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/cincinnati-oh) | $46,630 | $36,690 | $51,520 |
| 98 | [Cleveland, OH](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/cleveland-oh) | $46,450 | $36,520 | $51,330 |
| 99 | [Akron, OH](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/akron-oh) | $46,380 | $36,960 | $51,020 |
| 100 | [Columbus, OH](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/columbus-oh) | $46,340 | $37,900 | $50,500 |
| 101 | [Wilmington, NC](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/wilmington-nc) | $46,340 | $36,650 | $51,130 |
| 102 | Traverse City, MI | $46,300 | $38,060 | $50,360 |
| 103 | [Lancaster, PA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/lancaster-pa) | $46,280 | $38,810 | $49,960 |
| 104 | Elmira, NY | $46,130 | $36,710 | $50,790 |
| 105 | [Phoenix, AZ](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/phoenix-az) | $46,130 | $37,790 | $50,230 |
| 106 | Rockford, IL | $46,130 | $36,860 | $50,690 |
| 107 | Lewiston, ID-WA | $46,070 | $40,120 | $49,000 |
| 108 | [Rochester, NY](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/rochester-ny) | $46,070 | $37,290 | $50,400 |
| 109 | [Allentown, PA-NJ](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/allentown-pa) | $45,990 | $36,520 | $50,650 |
| 110 | Tyler, TX | $45,950 | $32,950 | $52,350 |
| 111 | [Modesto, CA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/modesto-ca) | $45,800 | $38,150 | $49,570 |
| 112 | Prescott Valley, AZ | $45,740 | $36,590 | $50,250 |
| 113 | Racine, WI | $45,700 | $36,630 | $50,150 |
| 114 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $45,680 | $37,520 | $49,670 |
| 115 | [Lansing, MI](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/lansing-mi) | $45,680 | $37,670 | $49,630 |
| 116 | Battle Creek, MI | $45,510 | $37,420 | $49,500 |
| 117 | [Youngstown, OH](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/youngstown-oh) | $45,450 | $34,760 | $50,690 |
| 118 | [Ann Arbor, MI](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/ann-arbor-mi) | $45,410 | $35,860 | $50,110 |
| 119 | Binghamton, NY | $45,410 | $36,500 | $49,770 |
| 120 | [Riverside, CA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/riverside-ca) | $45,340 | $36,420 | $49,730 |
| 121 | Evansville, IN | $45,320 | $39,400 | $48,260 |
| 122 | [Dayton, OH](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/dayton-oh) | $45,300 | $35,670 | $50,020 |
| 123 | [Toledo, OH](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/toledo-oh) | $45,260 | $35,960 | $49,840 |
| 124 | [Waterbury, CT](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/waterbury-ct) | $45,220 | $35,820 | $49,860 |
| 125 | South Bend, IN-MI | $45,180 | $38,480 | $48,480 |
| 126 | [Harrisburg, PA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/harrisburg-pa) | $45,120 | $35,010 | $50,090 |
| 127 | [York, PA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/york-pa) | $44,970 | $37,670 | $48,550 |
| 128 | [Salt Lake City, UT](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/salt-lake-city-ut) | $44,870 | $35,360 | $49,550 |
| 129 | Terre Haute, IN | $44,780 | $40,440 | $46,920 |
| 130 | [Baltimore, MD](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/baltimore-md) | $44,760 | $35,090 | $49,520 |
| 131 | [Colorado Springs, CO](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/colorado-springs-co) | $44,550 | $37,560 | $48,010 |
| 132 | [Nashville, TN](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/nashville-tn) | $44,530 | $37,190 | $48,150 |
| 133 | Waco, TX | $44,470 | $34,320 | $49,460 |
| 134 | Florence, SC | $44,390 | $34,840 | $49,110 |
| 135 | Michigan City, IN | $44,390 | $38,540 | $47,280 |
| 136 | Monroe, MI | $44,370 | $35,710 | $48,630 |
| 137 | Coeur d'Alene, ID | $44,280 | $38,110 | $47,320 |
| 138 | [Tucson, AZ](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/tucson-az) | $44,120 | $36,050 | $48,090 |
| 139 | Columbus, IN | $43,830 | $38,420 | $46,490 |
| 140 | Kankakee, IL | $43,740 | $37,420 | $46,840 |
| 141 | [Austin, TX](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/austin-tx) | $43,700 | $38,330 | $46,340 |
| 142 | [Grand Rapids, MI](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/grand-rapids-mi) | $43,680 | $36,320 | $47,300 |
| 143 | [Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/washington-dc) | $43,640 | $36,440 | $47,170 |
| 144 | Springfield, OH | $43,620 | $35,280 | $47,720 |
| 145 | Greeley, CO | $43,470 | $38,500 | $45,910 |
| 146 | [Knoxville, TN](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/knoxville-tn) | $43,410 | $34,260 | $47,900 |
| 147 | [Montgomery, AL](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/montgomery-al) | $43,410 | $34,510 | $47,800 |
| 148 | Wausau, WI | $43,410 | $40,080 | $45,050 |
| 149 | [North Port, FL](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/north-port-fl) | $43,330 | $36,500 | $46,700 |
| 150 | [Dallas, TX](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/dallas-tx) | $43,180 | $35,130 | $47,150 |
| 151 | [Fresno, CA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/fresno-ca) | $43,120 | $37,250 | $46,010 |
| 152 | [Tampa, FL](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/tampa-fl) | $42,870 | $36,130 | $46,200 |
| 153 | Niles, MI | $42,680 | $35,530 | $46,220 |
| 154 | Clarksville, TN-KY | $42,520 | $36,940 | $45,260 |
| 155 | [Jacksonville, FL](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/jacksonville-fl) | $42,430 | $35,070 | $46,070 |
| 156 | [Winston, NC](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/winston-nc) | $42,410 | $32,180 | $47,440 |
| 157 | [Wichita, KS](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/wichita-ks) | $42,370 | $35,940 | $45,550 |
| 158 | [Chattanooga, TN-GA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/chattanooga-tn) | $42,220 | $38,330 | $44,140 |
| 159 | Kalamazoo, MI | $42,180 | $37,000 | $44,720 |
| 160 | [Hickory, NC](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/hickory-nc) | $42,080 | $35,670 | $45,240 |
| 161 | [Houston, TX](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/houston-tx) | $42,080 | $32,120 | $47,010 |
| 162 | [Miami, FL](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/miami-fl) | $42,040 | $34,440 | $45,760 |
| 163 | [San Antonio, TX](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/san-antonio-tx) | $42,040 | $31,280 | $47,340 |
| 164 | [Birmingham, AL](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/birmingham-al) | $41,850 | $32,550 | $46,450 |
| 165 | [Virginia Beach, VA-NC](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/virginia-beach-va) | $41,810 | $34,150 | $45,570 |
| 166 | [Beaumont, TX](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/beaumont-tx) | $41,770 | $31,300 | $46,920 |
| 167 | [Tulsa, OK](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/tulsa-ok) | $41,620 | $32,510 | $46,090 |
| 168 | [Scranton, PA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/scranton-pa) | $41,500 | $35,900 | $44,240 |
| 169 | [Mobile, AL](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/mobile-al) | $41,310 | $34,840 | $44,490 |
| 170 | [Ogden, UT](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/ogden-ut) | $41,200 | $34,550 | $44,470 |
| 171 | Anniston, AL | $41,140 | $29,620 | $46,820 |
| 172 | [Palm Bay, FL](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/palm-bay-fl) | $41,020 | $33,740 | $44,620 |
| 173 | Flint, MI | $40,750 | $31,530 | $45,280 |
| 174 | Hagerstown, MD-WV | $40,600 | $35,980 | $42,870 |
| 175 | [Fayetteville, AR](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/fayetteville-ar) | $39,810 | $34,260 | $42,540 |
| 176 | Lynchburg, VA | $39,730 | $31,200 | $43,950 |
| 177 | [Baton Rouge, LA](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/baton-rouge-la) | $39,290 | $31,970 | $42,890 |
| 178 | [Killeen, TX](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/killeen-tx) | $39,270 | $31,870 | $42,910 |
| 179 | [El Paso, TX](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/el-paso-tx) | $38,940 | $29,040 | $43,800 |
| 180 | [Lakeland, FL](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/lakeland-fl) | $38,690 | $31,280 | $42,330 |
| 181 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $37,810 | $33,450 | $39,960 |
| 182 | [Huntsville, AL](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/huntsville-al) | $36,880 | $29,140 | $40,710 |
| 183 | [Oklahoma City, OK](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/oklahoma-city-ok) | $36,860 | $29,950 | $40,250 |
| 184 | [San Juan, PR](https://nuecareer.com/average-salary/san-juan-pr) | $33,430 | $25,130 | $37,520 |

---

This bank includes information from the 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 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). O\*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. NueCareer has transformed the data by joining it to BLS wage and projection data and deriving facet, personality-fit and AI-resilience scores. BLS and BEA data are public domain (17 U.S.C. §105).

O\*NET content is used under [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). How these figures are sourced and derived: https://nuecareer.com/careers/methodology