Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic (51-4033) work in a specialized production role with a national employment base of about 70,000 workers. The field offers an established footprint across the country, with 6,000 annual openings projected. While overall employment is expected to decline by 12.0%, openings will still arise from workers changing jobs or leaving the labor force. This path suits people who are detail oriented, comfortable with mechanical systems, and capable of physical work that relies on fine motor skills and stamina. Mathematics, problem solving and decision making, and basic computers and information technology skills also play a role, supporting accuracy and reliability in the work. With a national median salary of $45,190 and clear entry through a high school diploma or equivalent, this occupation can appeal to individuals seeking a hands-on role in metal and plastic production environments without extensive formal education requirements.
The national median annual salary for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $45,190. Earnings vary by state and metro area. Among the top states by CareerGPS opportunity score, median salaries range from $45,890 in California to $50,910 in Massachusetts, with New York and Washington both near $49,300 and Colorado at $46,120. At the metro level, median pay is $51,070 in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH and $49,230 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA offer median salaries around the high $40,000s, while Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is lower at $40,600. These figures show that location can influence earning potential, with some metros and states offering a noticeable pay premium over the national median.
Nationally, this occupation has employment of about 70,000 and a projected employment growth rate of -12.0%. Despite this projected decline, there are still 6,000 annual openings, indicating ongoing turnover and replacement needs. The negative growth projection suggests that the total number of positions is expected to shrink over time, but the number of workers needed each year remains significant. This dynamic means that job seekers may continue to find opportunities, particularly where employers need to replace experienced workers or adjust staffing levels. The -12.0% growth rate applies across the highlighted states and metro areas in the opportunity rankings, so the overall trend is consistent nationally and regionally. Individuals considering this career should weigh the steady flow of annual openings against the longer-term contraction in total employment, using local opportunity scores and salary information to help guide their decisions about where to focus a job search.
Location plays a clear role in opportunity for this occupation. Among states, California has the highest employment level at 7,800 and a median salary of $45,890, with an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts and New York stand out for higher median salaries—$50,910 and $49,290, respectively—with similar opportunity scores around the mid-60s. Washington and Colorado also appear among the top states, with opportunity scores in the mid-50s and median salaries from $46,120 to $49,300. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ lead by opportunity score, both above 77. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also rank strongly, with Boston offering a median salary of $51,070. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV has a solid opportunity score but a notably lower median salary of $40,600. These differences highlight how both pay and opportunity scores can vary meaningfully across regions.
The typical education requirement for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the field accessible to individuals who want to enter the workforce without pursuing a college degree. Beyond formal education, success in this role relies on a specific mix of skills. Fine motor ability, mechanical aptitude, and physical strength and stamina support the hands-on nature of the work. Being detail oriented helps ensure precision and consistency. Mathematics and science knowledge contribute to understanding measurements and processes, while computers and information technology skills support interaction with modern equipment or systems. Problem solving and decision making, along with project management and leadership capabilities, can help workers handle daily challenges and coordinate tasks. Together, these skills complement the baseline educational requirement and shape the overall readiness needed to grow and advance within this occupation.
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