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Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Iowa
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 Iowa?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$46,380
Median Annual Salary
▲
+3.3% vs 2024
$49,130
Mean Salary
$46,380
Median Salary
$22.30
Hourly Rate
890 people work as Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary by percentile in Iowa
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 Iowa earn a median salary of $46,380 per year ($3,865/month).
This is 1.8% above the national average of $45,547.
Iowa ranks #20 out of 48 states for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay.
Approximately 890 people work in this occupation across Iowa.
Salaries increased by 3.3% 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 Iowa
Salaries for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa range from $38,330 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $70,410 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $41,280 and $50,390.
Median $46,380
P10: $38,330P25: $41,280P75: $50,390P90: $70,410
10th
$38,330
25th
$41,280
Median
$46,380
75th
$50,390
90th
$70,410
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$38,330
$18.43
$3,194
25th Percentile
$41,280
$19.85
$3,440
Median (50th)
$46,380
$22.30
$3,865
75th Percentile
$50,390
$24.23
$4,199
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$70,410
$33.85
$5,867
Note: The mean (average) salary of $49,130 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#20
Iowa ranks #20 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 Iowa?
The median annual salary for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa is $46,380 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $49,130.
What is the salary range for a Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa?
Salaries for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa range from $38,330 at the 10th percentile to $70,410 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $41,280 and $50,390.
What is the starting salary for a Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa?
Entry-level Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic positions in Iowa typically start around $38,330 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $41,280 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 890 people are employed as Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa.
What is the hourly rate for a Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Iowa?
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 Iowa is approximately $22.30 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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