Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators: Who Earns More?
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics out-earn Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss by $2K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics land at $46,550 and Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss at $44,650. The education gap is real: grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while miscellaneous assemblers and fabricator programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics is Oregon ($57,290); for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss it's District of Columbia ($50,330).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss?
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics earn more nationally. The median is $46,550 for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics versus $44,650 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss, a difference of $2K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
Which requires more education, Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics get paid the most?
Oregon is the top-paying state for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics at $57,290/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Oregon, Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics earn $57,290 vs. $46,910 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.