Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
The median pay for a grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is $55,280/year ($26.58/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $73K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 105.42), so that salary is closer to $52,438 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,922/month — about 53.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $55K get you in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
About grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Entry-level grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $55K.Top earners bring in $73K or more - a $33K spread from bottom to top.
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | $59K | +30% | 1,480 |
| Oregon | $52K | +15% | 1,160 |
| Minnesota | $49K | +9% | 1,490 |
| Vermont | $49K | +9% | 220 |
| Massachusetts | $49K | +8% | 2,330 |
| South Carolina | $48K | +7% | 2,020 |
| Washington | $48K | +5% | 2,080 |
| Connecticut | $47K | +5% | 1,520 |
| North Carolina | $47K | +5% | 1,820 |
| Nebraska | $47K | +3% | 160 |
| Idaho | $47K | +3% | 190 |
| Wisconsin | $47K | +3% | 3,430 |
| Maine | $46K | +3% | 210 |
| North Dakota | $46K | +2% | 50 |
| Illinois | $46K | +2% | 5,100 |
Track grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The median is $55,280 a year - that works out to about $26.58 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,440, and experienced grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics can clear $72,990. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $55K enough to live in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,512/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,922/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 54.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary go in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro has a Regional Price Parity of 105.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary is worth about $52,438 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.