SOC 51-4033 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — Killeen
Killeen-Temple, TX · 8 metro areas compared
The median wage for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Killeen, TX is $41,490 per year, 10.9% below the national median of $46,550.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Killeen, TX is $41,490 per year, 10.9% below the national median of $46,550. Half of workers earn between $32,670 and $44,120. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $31,210 and the ninetieth at $44,670.
Employment stands at 40, or 0.3 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Tyler records the highest median at $52,880. Of the 348 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 249th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,210 | −33.0% |
| 25th | $32,670 | −29.8% |
| Median (50th) | $41,490 | −10.9% |
| 75th | $44,120 | −5.2% |
| 90th | $44,670 | −4.0% |
| Mean | $39,260 | −15.7% |
Other metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyler | $52,880 | 50 | |
| 2 | Waco | $47,480 | 50 | |
| 3 | Houston | $43,280 | 1,290 | |
| 4 | Dallas | $42,700 | 640 | |
| 5 | Austin | $42,250 | 150 | |
| 6 | Beaumont | $39,720 | 110 | |
| 7 | El Paso | $38,540 | 30 | |
| 8 | San Antonio | $37,960 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Killeen run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $41,490 goes as far as $42,729 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 8.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$41,490as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$42,729US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $41,490 a year, 10.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,210 to $44,670 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Tyler, at $52,880.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Killeen, TX?
The median annual wage is $41,490, or $19.95 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 Killeen, TX is 10.9% 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 Killeen, TX earns more than $44,670 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $31,210 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 Tyler, at $52,880 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 40 jobs in this occupation in Killeen, TX. 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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