Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand Salary in 2026
How Much Do Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hands Make?
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hands earn a median annual salary of $41,690 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $32,120 at the 10th percentile to $57,250 at the 90th percentile — a range of $25,130. The highest-paying state is Minnesota at $50,550.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $32,120 |
| 25th percentile | $36,660 |
| Median (50th) | $41,690 |
| 75th percentile | $48,410 |
| 90th percentile | $57,250 |
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesotatop | $50,550 |
| Nevada | $50,130 |
| Rhode Island | $49,050 |
| Connecticut | $47,460 |
| Missouri | $47,070 |
| Iowa | $46,960 |
| Oregon | $46,650 |
| New Hampshire | $46,420 |
| Washington | $46,250 |
| New York | $45,760 |
| Ohio | $43,430 |
| California | $43,170 |
| Arizona | $42,570 |
| Wisconsin | $42,030 |
| Massachusetts | $41,710 |
| New Jersey | $41,610 |
| Michigan | $41,330 |
| South Carolina | $40,790 |
| Colorado | $40,090 |
| Pennsylvania | $39,430 |
| Indiana | $39,110 |
| Virginia | $38,920 |
| Georgia | $38,710 |
| Florida | $38,470 |
| Vermont | $38,350 |
| Illinois | $38,220 |
| Texas | $37,870 |
| North Carolina | $37,750 |
| South Dakota | $37,620 |
| Tennessee | $36,560 |
| Utah | $35,710 |
| Oklahoma | $35,410 |
| New Mexico | $34,900 |
| Alabama | $33,060 |
| Louisiana | $32,120 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hands
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand 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) | ~$32,120 – $36,660 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$41,690 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$48,410 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $57,250+ |
How to Earn More as a Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hands in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $50,850 — $9,160 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 ($48,410) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
Want to see if a different career pays more for your skills? PathScorer maps your experience against hundreds of occupations and shows you where you're most competitive. Try it free →
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Grinding and Polishing Workers, Handthis career | $41,690 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | $63,760 |
| Maintenance Workers, Machinery | $60,500 |
| Forging Machine Operator | $49,240 |
| Rolling Machine Operator | $48,630 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 51-9022.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.