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Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Tennessee

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 Tennessee?

Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

$44,710
Median Annual Salary
▼ -1.5% vs 2024
$44,740
Mean Salary
$44,710
Median Salary
$21.50
Hourly Rate
1,340 people work as Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Tennessee

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary by percentile in Tennessee

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 salary in Tennessee — 2025 BLS percentilesHorizontal bars showing 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile annual salaries for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Tennessee.10thBottom 10% earn less than $34,880$34,88025th25% earn less than $37,860$37,860MedianHalf earn more than $44,710$44,71075th75% earn less than $48,540$48,54090thTop 10% earn more than $55,240$55,240

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Tennessee earn a median salary of $44,710 per year ($3,725/month). This is 1.8% below the national average of $45,547. Tennessee ranks #31 out of 48 states for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay. Approximately 1,340 people work in this occupation across Tennessee. Salaries decreased by 1.5% 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)

Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Salary Range: Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Tennessee

Salaries for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Tennessee range from $34,880 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $55,240 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $37,860 and $48,540.

Median $44,710
P10: $34,880 P25: $37,860 P75: $48,540 P90: $55,240
10th
$34,880
25th
$37,860
Median
$44,710
75th
$48,540
90th
$55,240
Percentile Annual Salary Hourly Rate Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level) $34,880 $16.77 $2,906
25th Percentile $37,860 $18.20 $3,155
Median (50th) $44,710 $21.50 $3,725
75th Percentile $48,540 $23.34 $4,045
90th Percentile (Experienced) $55,240 $26.56 $4,603

Note: The mean (average) salary of $44,740 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.

📊 How Does This Compare?

#31
Tennessee ranks #31 of 48 states
$45,547
National avg. for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
-1.8%
vs. national average
Near Average

What does this salary really buy? See Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Tennessee adjusted for cost of living →

How much do you actually take home? See Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic take-home pay in Tennessee after taxes →

Explore Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Data in Tennessee

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.

View all 50 states →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Tennessee?
The median annual salary for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Tennessee is $44,710 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $44,740.
What is the salary range for a Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Tennessee?
Salaries for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Tennessee range from $34,880 at the 10th percentile to $55,240 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $37,860 and $48,540.
What is the starting salary for a Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Tennessee?
Entry-level Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic positions in Tennessee typically start around $34,880 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $37,860 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Tennessee?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 1,340 people are employed as Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Tennessee.
What is the hourly rate for a Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Tennessee?
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 Tennessee is approximately $21.50 per hour.

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Data Source & Methodology

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.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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