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Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$49,160
Median Annual Salary
▲
+18.6% vs 2024
$51,730
Mean Salary
$49,160
Median Salary
$23.63
Hourly Rate
850 people work as Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Kentucky
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary by percentile in Kentucky
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 Kentucky earn a median salary of $49,160 per year ($4,096/month).
This is 7.9% above the national average of $45,547.
Kentucky ranks #8 out of 48 states for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay.
Approximately 850 people work in this occupation across Kentucky.
Salaries increased by 18.6% 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 Kentucky
Salaries for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Kentucky range from $37,260 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $73,540 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $42,790 and $58,490.
Median $49,160
P10: $37,260P25: $42,790P75: $58,490P90: $73,540
10th
$37,260
25th
$42,790
Median
$49,160
75th
$58,490
90th
$73,540
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$37,260
$17.91
$3,105
25th Percentile
$42,790
$20.57
$3,565
Median (50th)
$49,160
$23.63
$4,096
75th Percentile
$58,490
$28.12
$4,874
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$73,540
$35.36
$6,128
Note: The mean (average) salary of $51,730 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#8
Kentucky ranks #8 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 Kentucky?
The median annual salary for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Kentucky is $49,160 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $51,730.
What is the salary range for a Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Kentucky?
Salaries for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Kentucky range from $37,260 at the 10th percentile to $73,540 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $42,790 and $58,490.
What is the starting salary for a Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Kentucky?
Entry-level Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic positions in Kentucky typically start around $37,260 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $42,790 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Kentucky?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 850 people are employed as Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Kentucky.
What is the hourly rate for a Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Kentucky?
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 Kentucky is approximately $23.63 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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