How does Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary grow from entry-level to senior in Colorado? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.
70% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2024 • Colorado salary data • Updated 2026-04-06
The salary range for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Colorado spans from $35,580 at entry-level to $60,470 at senior level — a difference of $24,890 per year.
Senior Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics in Colorado earn $24,890 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary increases with experience in Colorado, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $35,580 | $2,965 | $17.11 |
| Early Career | P25 | $38,020 | $3,168 | $18.28 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $44,370 | $3,698 | $21.33 |
| Experienced | P75 | $51,070 | $4,256 | $24.55 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $60,470 | $5,039 | $29.07 |
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Colorado has a moderate salary progression with a 70% growth from entry-level ($35,580) to senior ($60,470). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($44,370) and P90 ($60,470) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.
Where does Colorado rank for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic senior-level salaries? Compare Colorado's P90 pay to other top-paying states.
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Entry-level Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics (10th percentile) earn approximately $35,580 per year, or $2,965 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $38,020. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics (90th percentile) earn approximately $60,470 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $51,070. This represents a career premium of 70% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics is 70%. Entry-level professionals start at $35,580, while senior-level can earn up to $60,470 — a difference of $24,890 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics is Colorado, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $60,470 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.
Salary percentile data for Colorado from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Colorado.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS