How much does a metal polish operator make?
a year · about $22 an hour
A typical metal polish operator in the United States makes $46,550 a year, about $22 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They read a work order or blueprint, set the grinding tools and machine controls, then watch the machine shape metal or plastic parts. They check each piece with gauges or a micrometer and adjust the machine if it is off spec.
Did you know? If a grinding wheel shatters, its pieces can fly faster than 300 miles per hour—one reason safety guards are important.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $36,110 and $62,600How do you become one?
In the U.S., finish high school or earn a GED; employers often hire people with that background and train them on the job. A registered apprenticeship is another route, and NIMS grinding credentials can show specialized skills.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience, precision and machine skills, and certifications. Industry, employer, location, and how difficult or responsible the work is also matter.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Oregon ($57,290), lowest in Alabama ($38,170).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $36,110 | $46,550 | $62,600 | about 67,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $57,290 | about 1,000 |
| Minnesota | $51,780 | about 1,000 |
| Massachusetts | $50,910 | about 2,000 |
| Washington | $49,300 | about 2,000 |
| New York | $49,290 | about 2,000 |
Official definition: Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic work pieces.
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/summary/51-4033.00
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/51-4033.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/May/oes514033.htm
- osha.oregon.gov/OSHAPubs/2980.pdf
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY