Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Operator Salary in 2026
How Much Do Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Operators Make?
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Operators earn a median annual salary of $45,190 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $34,980 at the 10th percentile to $61,550 at the 90th percentile — a range of $26,570. The highest-paying state is Missouri at $58,920.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,980 |
| 25th percentile | $38,420 |
| Median (50th) | $45,190 |
| 75th percentile | $51,380 |
| 90th percentile | $61,550 |
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Operator Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Missouritop | $58,920 |
| Oregon | $51,850 |
| Minnesota | $49,180 |
| Vermont | $49,160 |
| Massachusetts | $48,690 |
| South Carolina | $48,210 |
| Washington | $47,550 |
| Connecticut | $47,480 |
| North Carolina | $47,470 |
| Nebraska | $46,730 |
| Idaho | $46,690 |
| Wisconsin | $46,570 |
| Maine | $46,420 |
| North Dakota | $46,170 |
| Illinois | $45,970 |
| New York | $45,910 |
| California | $45,640 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,550 |
| Colorado | $45,460 |
| Wyoming | $45,450 |
| Tennessee | $45,380 |
| Virginia | $45,330 |
| Iowa | $44,920 |
| Indiana | $44,610 |
| New Hampshire | $44,460 |
| Arizona | $44,120 |
| Georgia | $43,930 |
| Louisiana | $42,990 |
| Utah | $42,920 |
| Michigan | $41,600 |
| Kentucky | $41,450 |
| Ohio | $41,420 |
| Mississippi | $41,410 |
| Nevada | $40,960 |
| Rhode Island | $40,600 |
| Kansas | $40,500 |
| Maryland | $40,330 |
| South Dakota | $40,190 |
| Oklahoma | $39,690 |
| Arkansas | $39,450 |
| Texas | $39,000 |
| Alabama | $38,910 |
| Florida | $38,710 |
| New Jersey | $38,190 |
| Montana | $38,090 |
| West Virginia | $37,490 |
| New Mexico | $36,800 |
| Delaware | $32,390 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Operators
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool 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) | ~$34,980 – $38,420 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$45,190 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$51,380 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $61,550+ |
How to Earn More as a Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Operator
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Operators in St. Louis, MO-IL earn $58,920 — $13,730 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 ($51,380) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Operator Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Operatorthis career | $45,190 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | $63,760 |
| Maintenance Workers, Machinery | $60,500 |
| Forging Machine Operator | $49,240 |
| Rolling Machine Operator | $48,630 |
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SOC: 51-4033.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.