Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Auburn, AL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Auburn-Opelika, AL

Median annual salary $33,520 -25.8% vs national
Median hourly $16.12
10th percentile $29,250
90th percentile $65,580
Employed locally 30
National median $45,190

Compare Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Auburn, AL stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
in
Auburn, AL
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,250
    25th
    $30,480
    50th (median)
    $33,520
    75th
    $38,050
    90th
    $65,580

    Auburn economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $58,991 2023 • Census ACS
    Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary vs area income 57% Median Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary is 43% below the area median household income

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

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Missouri $58,920
    St. Louis, MO-IL $58,920
    Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area $58,380
    Rochester, MN $55,990
    St. Cloud, MN $55,580
    Fort Smith, AR-OK $55,410

    Nearby metros — Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area $49,630
    Northwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area $49,300
    Albany, OR $49,200
    West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area $48,870
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $48,650
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $48,290

    Related occupations in Auburn, AL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$34,760
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$37,040
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$64,170
    Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$35,230
    Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$51,490
    Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$35,630

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make per hour in Auburn?

    The median hourly wage for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Auburn, AL is $16.12, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $31.53 or more per hour.

    Is Auburn above or below average for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salaries?

    The median Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Auburn, AL is 25.8% below the national median of $45,190. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Auburn?

    Entry-level Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (10th percentile) earn around $29,250 per year in Auburn, AL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,480.