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Occupation · SOC 51-4033

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

There are 67,000 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $46,550 a year. The most jobs are in Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
67,000
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$46,550
Median pay a year
Middle half: $39,390–$54,290
4,500
Annual openings
10-year change: −10.8%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 185 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $45,440 · LCA filings 03,920$45,4400
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $46,420 · LCA filings 03,110$46,4200
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $51,070 · LCA filings 01,630$51,0700
Cleveland, OHMedian pay $45,440 · LCA filings 01,620$45,4400
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $43,280 · LCA filings 01,290$43,2800
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $46,360 · LCA filings 01,210$46,3600
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $48,690 · LCA filings 01,180$48,6900
Milwaukee–Waukesha, WIMedian pay $47,750 · LCA filings 01,080$47,7500
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $53,930 · LCA filings 01,050$53,9300
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $51,990 · LCA filings 01,000$51,9900

Metro areas with the highest median pay

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

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Canton–Massillon, OHEmployment 350 · LCA filings 0$67,2103500
Bend, OREmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$60,180400
Muskegon–Norton Shores, MIEmployment 460 · LCA filings 0$59,7504600
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WAEmployment 930 · LCA filings 0$58,6809300
Utica–Rome, NYEmployment 130 · LCA filings 0$57,4201300

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
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $42,702 · Level III $48,277 · Level IV $53,830$37,149$42,702$48,277$53,830
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $44,470 · Level III $49,670 · Level IV $54,891$39,250$44,470$49,670$54,891
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $49,275 · Level III $55,141 · Level IV $61,027$43,389$49,275$55,141$61,027
Cleveland, OHLevel II $41,454 · Level III $46,405 · Level IV $51,334$36,525$41,454$46,405$51,334
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $37,086 · Level III $42,037 · Level IV $47,008$32,115$37,086$42,037$47,008
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $42,640 · Level III $48,027 · Level IV $53,414$37,253$42,640$48,027$53,414
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $43,950 · Level III $50,398 · Level IV $56,846$37,502$43,950$50,398$56,846
Milwaukee–Waukesha, WILevel II $45,947 · Level III $50,170 · Level IV $54,413$41,704$45,947$50,170$54,413
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $50,003 · Level III $56,222 · Level IV $62,462$43,763$50,003$56,222$62,462
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $51,376 · Level III $57,720 · Level IV $64,085$45,011$51,376$57,720$64,085

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

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Precision Metal WorkingCIP 48.05OPT · up to 12 months261OPT · up to 12 months

See Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in every metro area

All 185 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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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