Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Operator Salary in 2026
How Much Do Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Operators Make?
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Operators earn a median annual salary of $46,890 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $35,380 at the 10th percentile to $65,980 at the 90th percentile — a range of $30,600. The highest-paying state is Wyoming at $76,350.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,380 |
| 25th percentile | $38,990 |
| Median (50th) | $46,890 |
| 75th percentile | $58,440 |
| 90th percentile | $65,980 |
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Operator Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Wyomingtop | $76,350 |
| Alaska | $66,570 |
| Nevada | $63,960 |
| Iowa | $60,210 |
| Minnesota | $58,150 |
| West Virginia | $54,310 |
| Vermont | $53,760 |
| New York | $53,330 |
| Maine | $52,880 |
| Connecticut | $52,860 |
| Nebraska | $52,620 |
| Illinois | $51,860 |
| New Jersey | $50,820 |
| Utah | $50,440 |
| Washington | $49,920 |
| Oregon | $49,820 |
| Wisconsin | $49,710 |
| Indiana | $49,290 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,050 |
| New Hampshire | $48,780 |
| Idaho | $48,660 |
| Massachusetts | $48,630 |
| South Dakota | $48,320 |
| Missouri | $48,090 |
| Arizona | $48,040 |
| North Dakota | $47,900 |
| Kentucky | $46,940 |
| Michigan | $46,760 |
| Montana | $46,490 |
| Kansas | $46,320 |
| California | $45,950 |
| Colorado | $45,930 |
| Louisiana | $45,460 |
| Florida | $44,370 |
| Virginia | $43,680 |
| North Carolina | $43,380 |
| New Mexico | $43,240 |
| Tennessee | $41,600 |
| Oklahoma | $39,660 |
| Ohio | $39,570 |
| Maryland | $39,250 |
| Texas | $38,580 |
| Georgia | $38,560 |
| Arkansas | $37,690 |
| South Carolina | $37,400 |
| Alabama | $35,920 |
| Mississippi | $35,780 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Operators
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Operator Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$35,380 – $38,990 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$46,890 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$58,440 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $65,980+ |
How to Earn More as a Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Operator
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Operators in Wyoming earn $76,350 — $29,460 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($58,440) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Operator Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Operatorthis career | $46,890 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | $63,760 |
| Maintenance Workers, Machinery | $60,500 |
| Rolling Machine Operator | $48,630 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Operator | $45,590 |
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SOC: 51-9021.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.