SOC 51-4033 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — Erie
Erie, PA · 8 metro areas compared
At $45,390, median pay for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Erie, PA tracks the national median of $46,550 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $45,390, median pay for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Erie, PA tracks the national median of $46,550 closely. Pay ranges from under $31,060 at the tenth percentile to more than $63,050 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $38,540 to $55,070.
Employment stands at 320, or 2.7 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Reading records the highest median at $53,090. Of the 345 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 217th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,060 | −33.3% |
| 25th | $38,540 | −17.2% |
| Median (50th) | $45,390 | −2.5% |
| 75th | $55,070 | +18.3% |
| 90th | $63,050 | +35.4% |
| Mean | $47,150 | +1.3% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reading | $53,090 | 350 | |
| 2 | Pittsburgh | $48,530 | 680 | |
| 3 | Allentown | $48,370 | 460 | |
| 4 | Philadelphia | $47,650 | 710 | |
| 5 | Lancaster | $47,350 | 190 | |
| 6 | Harrisburg | $45,100 | 70 | |
| 7 | York | $44,450 | 210 | |
| 8 | Scranton | $39,440 | 90 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Erie run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $45,390 goes as far as $46,506 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 0.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$45,390as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$46,506US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $45,390 a year, 2.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,060 to $63,050 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 320 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Reading, at $53,090.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Erie, PA?
The median annual wage is $45,390, or $21.82 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $46,550, so pay in Erie, PA is 2.5% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Erie, PA earns more than $63,050 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $31,060 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Reading, at $53,090 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 320 jobs in this occupation in Erie, PA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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