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Occupation · SOC 51-9021

Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

There are 26,000 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $48,540 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
26,000
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$48,540
Median pay a year
Middle half: $40,430–$60,040
2,300
Annual openings
10-year change: −1.7%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 114 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $50,400 · LCA filings 0830$50,4000
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $43,820 · LCA filings 0580$43,8200
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $49,860 · LCA filings 0450$49,8600
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAMedian pay $44,500 · LCA filings 0390$44,5000
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $47,080 · LCA filings 0370$47,0800
Cleveland, OHMedian pay $39,670 · LCA filings 0370$39,6700
Cincinnati, OH–KY–INMedian pay $40,850 · LCA filings 0360$40,8500
Cedar Rapids, IAMedian pay $64,670 · LCA filings 0340$64,6700
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $46,530 · LCA filings 0340$46,5300
Knoxville, TNMedian pay $42,990 · LCA filings 0250$42,9900

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Duluth, MN–WIEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$84,310600
Lafayette–West Lafayette, INEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$66,800700
Corpus Christi, TXEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$66,540400
Sandusky, OHEmployment 30 · LCA filings 0$65,240300
Cedar Rapids, IAEmployment 340 · LCA filings 0$64,6703400

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $47,486 · Level III $54,392 · Level IV $61,298$40,581$47,486$54,392$61,298
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $42,515 · Level III $47,050 · Level IV $51,584$37,981$42,515$47,050$51,584
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $47,674 · Level III $53,435 · Level IV $59,218$41,891$47,674$53,435$59,218
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CALevel II $44,054 · Level III $49,338 · Level IV $54,621$38,771$44,054$49,338$54,621
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $44,075 · Level III $48,838 · Level IV $53,622$39,291$44,075$48,838$53,622
Cleveland, OHLevel II $41,163 · Level III $45,677 · Level IV $50,170$36,670$41,163$45,677$50,170
Cincinnati, OH–KY–INLevel II $41,954 · Level III $45,802 · Level IV $49,650$38,106$41,954$45,802$49,650
Cedar Rapids, IALevel II $60,882 · Level III $63,190 · Level IV $65,478$58,594$60,882$63,190$65,478
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $42,910 · Level III $48,797 · Level IV $54,704$37,003$42,910$48,797$54,704
Knoxville, TNLevel II $42,827 · Level III $46,966 · Level IV $51,126$38,667$42,827$46,966$51,126

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

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Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology