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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Carolina Median
$48,040
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.10
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+3% vs US median
US median $46,550
State Rank
#11 of 48
1,730 employed here

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

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic working in South Carolina earn a median salary of $48,040 per year, or about $23.10 per hour. That is 3% above the national median of $46,550 for this occupation.

Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $38,540 while the top 10% make $60,050 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,020 and $58,340 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$38,540$18.53
25th percentile (early career)$45,020$21.64
50th percentile (median)$48,040$23.10
75th percentile (experienced)$58,340$28.05
90th percentile (top earners)$60,050$28.87

How South Carolina compares

South Carolina ranks 11th 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 South 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 South Carolina pay ($48,040) 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 South Carolina?
The median Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in South Carolina is $48,040 per year, or about $23.10 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,540 at the entry level to $60,050 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South 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. South Carolina ranks 11th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Yes on pay — South Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $48,040 a year. About 1,730 Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are employed in South Carolina. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), 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.