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Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in California
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in California?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$45,890
Median Annual Salary
▲
+0.5% vs 2024
$48,450
Mean Salary
$45,890
Median Salary
$22.06
Hourly Rate
7,800 people work as Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary by percentile in California
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California earn a median salary of $45,890 per year ($3,824/month).
This is 0.8% above the national average of $45,547.
California ranks #26 out of 48 states for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay.
Approximately 7,800 people work in this occupation across California.
Salaries increased by 0.5% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
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.
Top Skills
Operations Monitoring
4.0
Operation and Control
4.0
Quality Control Analysis
3.5
Reading Comprehension
3.12
Monitoring
3.12
Key Knowledge Areas
Production and Processing
3.49
Mathematics
2.97
Administration and Management
2.82
Mechanical
2.72
English Language
2.65
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(80.1% of workers)
Salary Range: Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California
Salaries for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California range from $36,510 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $62,630 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $39,440 and $53,820.
Median $45,890
P10: $36,510P25: $39,440P75: $53,820P90: $62,630
10th
$36,510
25th
$39,440
Median
$45,890
75th
$53,820
90th
$62,630
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$36,510
$17.55
$3,042
25th Percentile
$39,440
$18.96
$3,286
Median (50th)
$45,890
$22.06
$3,824
75th Percentile
$53,820
$25.88
$4,485
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$62,630
$30.11
$5,219
Note: The mean (average) salary of $48,450 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#26
California ranks #26 of 48 states
$45,547
National avg. for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary by State
Compare Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay across states — sorted by highest median salary.
How much do Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in California?
The median annual salary for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California is $45,890 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $48,450.
What is the salary range for a Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California?
Salaries for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California range from $36,510 at the 10th percentile to $62,630 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $39,440 and $53,820.
What is the starting salary for a Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California?
Entry-level Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic positions in California typically start around $36,510 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $39,440 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 7,800 people are employed as Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California is approximately $22.06 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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