Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Southern Indiana

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Southern Indiana nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $39,400 -12.8% vs national
Median hourly $18.94
10th percentile $31,160
90th percentile $49,980
Employed locally 430
National median $45,190

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

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Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
in
Southern Indiana
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,160
    25th
    $37,170
    50th (median)
    $39,400
    75th
    $44,970
    90th
    $49,980

    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

    Related occupations in Southern Indiana

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $47,830
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $62,700
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $42,490
    Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters $35,570
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $45,330
    Machinists $47,010

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Southern Indiana is $18.94, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $26.54 or more per hour.

    Is Southern Indiana 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 Southern Indiana is 12.8% 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 Southern Indiana?

    Entry-level Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (10th percentile) earn around $31,160 per year in Southern Indiana. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,170.