How much does a polishing worker make?
Answer: A typical polishing worker in the United States makes $42,660 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 11,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Polishing worker pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $33,480 | $42,660 | $60,810 | about 11,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $44,450 | about 2,000 |
| Michigan | $44,430 | about 650 |
| Florida | $39,480 | about 510 |
| Indiana | $38,810 | about 620 |
| Arizona | $38,280 | about 560 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experienced workers and people skilled at harder, more specialized finishes may earn more. Pay also differs by employer or industry and location; a credential can help when an employer values it.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a polishing worker do?
Grind, sand, or polish, using hand tools or hand-held power tools, a variety of metal, wood, stone, clay, plastic, or glass objects. Includes chippers, buffers, and finishers.
What's a typical day like?
They inspect a part, mark flaws, choose an abrasive, then use a file or hand-held power tool to grind, sand, or polish it. They measure the finish, adjust equipment, and place completed parts in containers for the next step.
How to get this job
Most jobs call for a high school diploma or GED, though some may not. New workers usually learn on the job, with training lasting from a few days to a year.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
This job isn't just about metal: workers may hand-polish wood, stone, clay, plastic, and even glass.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Production jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/51-9022.00
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/51-9022.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY