Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in North Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in North Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$47,770
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.97
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+3% vs US median
US median $46,550
State Rank
#12 of 48
1,610 employed here

How much do Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in North Carolina?

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in North Carolina take home a median of $47,770 annually — roughly $22.97 an hour — which runs 3% above the national median of $46,550.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $34,690 while the top 10% make $58,950 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,210 and $53,760 a year.

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$34,690$16.68
25th percentile (early career)$38,210$18.37
50th percentile (median)$47,770$22.97
75th percentile (experienced)$53,760$25.85
90th percentile (top earners)$58,950$28.34

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 12th out of 48 states and territories for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Oregon$57,290
2Minnesota$51,780
3Massachusetts$50,910
4Vermont$50,640
5West Virginia$49,950

Working as Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in North Carolina

Nationally, about 67,000 people work as Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($47,770) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in North Carolina?
The median Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in North Carolina is $47,770 per year, or about $22.97 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,690 at the entry level to $58,950 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic about 3% more than the national median of $46,550. North Carolina ranks 12th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Yes on pay — North Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $47,770 a year. About 1,610 Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are employed in North Carolina. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.