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Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2021

51-4033 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.


National estimates for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Industry profile for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Geographic profile for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

National estimates for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Employment (1) Employment
RSE (3)
Mean hourly
wage
Mean annual
wage (2)
Wage RSE (3)
67,750 1.8 % $ 19.25 $ 40,030 0.4 %

Percentile wage estimates for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Percentile 10% 25% 50%
(Median)
75% 90%
Hourly Wage $ 14.00 $ 14.66 $ 18.05 $ 22.67 $ 27.40
Annual Wage (2) $ 29,120 $ 30,500 $ 37,550 $ 47,150 $ 57,000


Industry profile for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Industries with the highest published employment and wages for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are provided. For a list of all industries with employment in Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, see the Create Customized Tables function.

Industries with the highest levels of employment in Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Industry Employment (1) Percent of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) 9,290 2.08 $ 19.45 $ 40,460
Foundries 7,950 7.87 $ 18.21 $ 37,880
Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing 7,830 2.41 $ 19.02 $ 39,570
Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities 4,900 3.96 $ 18.19 $ 37,830
Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing 4,860 3.04 $ 19.79 $ 41,170

Industries with the highest concentration of employment in Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Industry Employment (1) Percent of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Foundries 7,950 7.87 $ 18.21 $ 37,880
Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities 4,900 3.96 $ 18.19 $ 37,830
Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing 4,860 3.04 $ 19.79 $ 41,170
Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing 7,830 2.41 $ 19.02 $ 39,570
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) 9,290 2.08 $ 19.45 $ 40,460

Top paying industries for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Industry Employment (1) Percent of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing 610 1.10 $ 26.42 $ 54,950
Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing 490 0.89 $ 24.45 $ 50,860
Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing 490 0.12 $ 23.96 $ 49,830
Electrical Equipment Manufacturing 230 0.17 $ 23.64 $ 49,170
Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing 1,040 1.17 $ 23.19 $ 48,230


Geographic profile for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

States and areas with the highest published employment, location quotients, and wages for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are provided. For a list of all areas with employment in Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, see the Create Customized Tables function.



Map of employment of grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic by state, May 2021


States with the highest employment level in Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

State Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
California 7,950 0.48 1.00 $ 19.39 $ 40,320
Ohio 6,980 1.34 2.79 $ 18.13 $ 37,710
Illinois 4,430 0.79 1.64 $ 19.21 $ 39,950
Indiana 4,070 1.36 2.84 $ 18.60 $ 38,690
Michigan 4,020 0.99 2.06 $ 19.37 $ 40,300


Map of location quotient of grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic by state, May 2021


States with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

State Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Indiana 4,070 1.36 2.84 $ 18.60 $ 38,690
Wisconsin 3,710 1.35 2.80 $ 19.72 $ 41,010
Ohio 6,980 1.34 2.79 $ 18.13 $ 37,710
Connecticut 2,070 1.32 2.74 $ 20.91 $ 43,500
Michigan 4,020 0.99 2.06 $ 19.37 $ 40,300


Map of annual mean wages of grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic by state, May 2021


Top paying states for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

State Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Oregon 1,100 0.60 1.25 $ 22.72 $ 47,250
Louisiana 70 0.04 0.08 $ 22.39 $ 46,570
South Carolina 1,110 0.54 1.12 $ 21.96 $ 45,680
Massachusetts 1,840 0.54 1.13 $ 21.02 $ 43,720
West Virginia 150 0.22 0.46 $ 21.01 $ 43,690



Map of employment of grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic by area, May 2021


Metropolitan areas with the highest employment level in Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Metropolitan area Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 3,810 0.67 1.38 $ 19.50 $ 40,570
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI 3,360 0.79 1.65 $ 20.00 $ 41,600
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA 1,630 0.19 0.39 $ 19.56 $ 40,680
Cleveland-Elyria, OH 1,460 1.52 3.16 $ 18.64 $ 38,780
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI 1,330 0.74 1.53 $ 20.95 $ 43,580
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI 1,250 0.69 1.43 $ 20.54 $ 42,730
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI 1,240 1.58 3.29 $ 20.55 $ 42,730
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH 1,210 0.47 0.97 $ 20.60 $ 42,850
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX 1,050 0.36 0.75 $ 19.34 $ 40,230
Pittsburgh, PA 990 0.95 1.97 $ 21.45 $ 44,620


Map of location quotient of grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic by area, May 2021


Metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Metropolitan area Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Muskegon, MI 490 8.58 17.84 $ 20.61 $ 42,860
Sheboygan, WI 260 4.46 9.28 $ 19.88 $ 41,350
Elkhart-Goshen, IN 550 4.09 8.52 $ 19.68 $ 40,930
Albany, OR 150 3.46 7.19 $ 24.26 $ 50,470
Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL 130 2.94 6.11 $ 15.01 $ 31,220
Michigan City-La Porte, IN 100 2.71 5.64 $ 16.54 $ 34,400
Danbury, CT 190 2.68 5.57 $ 21.57 $ 44,860
Rockford, IL 350 2.63 5.47 $ 17.46 $ 36,320
Springfield, OH 120 2.59 5.38 $ 16.90 $ 35,140
Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH 90 2.56 5.32 (8) (8)


Map of annual mean wages of grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic by area, May 2021


Top paying metropolitan areas for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Metropolitan area Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Charleston-North Charleston, SC 170 0.51 1.06 $ 28.74 $ 59,780
Syracuse, NY 260 0.95 1.97 $ 24.81 $ 51,600
Albany, OR 150 3.46 7.19 $ 24.26 $ 50,470
Richmond, VA 30 0.05 0.11 $ 22.96 $ 47,760
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA 870 0.78 1.62 $ 22.78 $ 47,370
Spartanburg, SC 90 0.54 1.13 $ 22.61 $ 47,030
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL 220 1.28 2.66 $ 22.60 $ 47,010
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX 110 0.77 1.59 $ 22.58 $ 46,960
Vallejo-Fairfield, CA 40 0.28 0.58 $ 22.57 $ 46,950
Springfield, MA-CT 490 1.58 3.29 $ 22.20 $ 46,170

Nonmetropolitan areas with the highest employment in Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Nonmetropolitan area Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area 1,160 5.68 11.81 $ 18.39 $ 38,260
West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area 610 2.54 5.29 $ 19.03 $ 39,590
Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area 520 2.72 5.66 $ 18.45 $ 38,370
Balance of Lower Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area 470 1.86 3.87 $ 17.25 $ 35,880
South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area 420 2.08 4.34 $ 19.88 $ 41,340

Nonmetropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Nonmetropolitan area Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area 1,160 5.68 11.81 $ 18.39 $ 38,260
Connecticut nonmetropolitan area 90 2.89 6.00 $ 20.48 $ 42,590
Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area 520 2.72 5.66 $ 18.45 $ 38,370
West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area 610 2.54 5.29 $ 19.03 $ 39,590
Northeast Lower Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area 160 2.23 4.64 $ 16.81 $ 34,970

Top paying nonmetropolitan areas for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Nonmetropolitan area Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area 110 1.83 3.81 $ 23.88 $ 49,670
East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area 40 0.62 1.28 $ 21.32 $ 44,340
Upper Savannah South Carolina nonmetropolitan area 140 1.74 3.62 $ 21.30 $ 44,310
Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area 120 0.68 1.41 $ 21.30 $ 44,300
Central East New York nonmetropolitan area 70 0.45 0.94 $ 20.82 $ 43,300


About May 2021 National, State, Metropolitan, and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates

These estimates are calculated with data collected from employers in all industry sectors, all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, and all states and the District of Columbia. The top employment and wage figures are provided above. The complete list is available in the downloadable XLS files.

The percentile wage estimate is the value of a wage below which a certain percent of workers fall. The median wage is the 50th percentile wage estimate—50 percent of workers earn less than the median and 50 percent of workers earn more than the median. More about percentile wages.


(1) Estimates for detailed occupations do not sum to the totals because the totals include occupations not shown separately. Estimates do not include self-employed workers.

(2) Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly mean wage by a "year-round, full-time" hours figure of 2,080 hours; for those occupations where there is not an hourly wage published, the annual wage has been directly calculated from the reported survey data.

(3) The relative standard error (RSE) is a measure of the reliability of a survey statistic. The smaller the relative standard error, the more precise the estimate.

(8) Estimate not released.

(9) The location quotient is the ratio of the area concentration of occupational employment to the national average concentration. A location quotient greater than one indicates the occupation has a higher share of employment than average, and a location quotient less than one indicates the occupation is less prevalent in the area than average.


Other OEWS estimates and related information:

May 2021 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates

May 2021 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates

May 2021 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates

May 2021 National Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates

May 2021 Occupation Profiles

Technical Notes

 

Last Modified Date: March 31, 2022