SOC 51-4033 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — Wisconsin
Wisconsin · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $47,330 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $46,550.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $47,330 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $46,550. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $41,190 and $55,430. The lowest tenth earn under $37,030, while the highest tenth earn more than $60,540.
The area has 3,570 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.2 of every thousand jobs. Wisconsin ranks number 15th out of 48 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Sheboygan records the highest median at $52,310. Of the 728 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 537th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,030 | −20.5% |
| 25th | $41,190 | −11.5% |
| Median (50th) | $47,330 | +1.7% |
| 75th | $55,430 | +19.1% |
| 90th | $60,540 | +30.1% |
| Mean | $48,520 | +4.2% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sheboygan | $52,310 | 200 | |
| 2 | Janesville | $50,650 | 50 | |
| 3 | Appleton | $49,500 | 100 | |
| 4 | Eau Claire | $49,010 | 120 | |
| 5 | Oshkosh | $48,390 | 140 | |
| 6 | Milwaukee | $47,750 | 1,080 | |
| 7 | Madison | $47,220 | 310 | |
| 8 | Green Bay | $46,790 | 150 | |
| 9 | Kenosha | $46,740 | 70 | |
| 10 | Fond du Lac | $45,850 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Wisconsin run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $47,330 goes as far as $50,298 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 8.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$47,330as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$50,298US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $47,330 a year, 1.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,030 to $60,540 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,570 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 15th of 48 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Sheboygan, at $52,310.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Wisconsin?
The median annual wage is $47,330, or $22.76 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 Wisconsin is 1.7% higher. 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 Wisconsin earns more than $60,540 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,030 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 Sheboygan, at $52,310 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,570 jobs in this occupation in Wisconsin. 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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