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Average Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

In the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metropolitan area, Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic professionals earn an average annual salary of $43,300. This figure is slightly below the national average of $46,600, suggesting localized market dynamics and potentially different industry demands influence compensation in this region.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $43,300 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 21.2% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $50,720.
  • Outlook: The local job market for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ appears robust, with a total local workforce of 430 individuals. The Location Quotient of 2.57 indicates a significantly higher concentration of these roles compared to the national average, signaling strong local demand and a specialized industry presence.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$43,300

The average Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ earns-7.1%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$20.8

Weekly

$833

Monthly

$3,608

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary Distribution in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

Career progression for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic typically involves a salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while senior operators with specialized skills and extensive experience can command salaries significantly higher than the average, with percentile gaps illustrating clear career advancement opportunities.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
ApprenticeLearning trade under supervision. Classroom + OJT.10% (Entry)$31,470$15.1
JourneymanLicensed/Certified. Works independently on standard tasks.25% (Junior)$32,475$15.6
Senior TechnicianHandles complex installations & troubleshooting.50% (Median)$46,760$22.5
Foreman / MasterSupervises crews, handles permits & code compliance.75% (Senior)$54,125$26
SuperintendentSite management, business owner, or master tradesman.90% (Expert)$50,720$24.4

Detailed Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$43,300

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$43,300

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $43,300 in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of the local salary is comparable to the national standard, indicating that while the nominal salary is slightly lower than the national average, it is effectively balanced by the local cost of living.

Job Market Context

430

Total Jobs

1.169

Per 1K Jobs

2.57

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ has 2.6x the national concentration of Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

With a Location Quotient of 2.57, the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ area exhibits a strong concentration of Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic roles. This suggests a specialized and potentially competitive market where employers may actively seek out candidates with specific skills relevant to the local manufacturing or industrial base.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

CitySalaryDist.
Reading, PA Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary$51,630↑ 19%30 mi
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary$48,410↑ 12%47 mi
Lebanon, PA Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary$43,040↓ 1%53 mi
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary$40,810↓ 6%57 mi

Comparing salaries near Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?

The median annual salary for a Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ is $43,300. This typically ranges from $31,470 for entry-level positions to $50,720 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ is 7.1% lower than the national median of $46,600.

Is Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ a lucrative place for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?

No, not significantly more lucrative than the national average.While the average salary of $43,300 is slightly below the national average, the cost of living is also at the national average, meaning purchasing power is similar. The high concentration of these roles suggests strong local demand, but not necessarily higher pay.

Is Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ a good place to live for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics?

The Cost of Living Index in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?

Some top paying nearby cities include Reading, PA ($51,630) and Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD.

How does the local workforce size impact job prospects?

A local workforce of 430 indicates a substantial, established presence of these roles, suggesting consistent opportunities for both new entrants and experienced professionals within the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ area.

What does a Location Quotient of 2.57 mean for this job title?

A Location Quotient of 2.57 signifies that this job is over 2.5 times more common in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ than the national average, indicating a specialized regional industry and potentially higher demand for these specific skills.

How does the cost of living affect the $43,300 salary?

With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the $43,300 salary in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ offers purchasing power equivalent to the national average, meaning it is neither significantly enhanced nor diminished by local expenses.

Are there many job openings for Metal Polishers in this area?

The concentration indicated by the Location Quotient suggests a healthy number of job openings relative to the national average, making it a potentially favorable market for job seekers in this specialized field.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 430 employees in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ area with a job density of 1.169 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

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Semantic Salary Analysis for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ