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Average Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

In the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metropolitan area, Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic professionals earn an average annual salary of $57,960. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $46,600, indicating a strong local demand and potentially higher operational costs or specialized skill requirements driving compensation in this region.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $57,960 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 17.3% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $72,990.
  • Outlook: The job market for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA appears robust, evidenced by a local workforce of 920 individuals. The Location Quotient of 1.66 suggests a concentration of these roles approximately 66% higher than the national average, pointing to a healthy and potentially growing demand for these skilled positions within the region.
BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$27.9

Weekly

$1,115

Monthly

$4,830

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary Distribution in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Career progression for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic typically involves a significant salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower percentiles of the salary range, while senior operators with specialized skills and years of experience can command salaries well above the average, reflected in the higher salary percentiles.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
ApprenticeLearning trade under supervision. Classroom + OJT.10% (Entry)$40,440$19.4
JourneymanLicensed/Certified. Works independently on standard tasks.25% (Junior)$43,470$20.9
Senior TechnicianHandles complex installations & troubleshooting.50% (Median)$55,280$26.6
Foreman / MasterSupervises crews, handles permits & code compliance.75% (Senior)$72,450$34.8
SuperintendentSite management, business owner, or master tradesman.90% (Expert)$72,990$35.1

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

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$57,960

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$57,960

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $57,960 in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of this salary is equivalent to the national average, allowing professionals in this role to maintain a similar standard of living as their counterparts across the country.

Job Market Context

920

Total Jobs

0.756

Per 1K Jobs

1.66

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA has 1.7x 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 1.66, the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA area exhibits a notable concentration of Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic roles compared to the national average. This suggests a competitive market where employers may need to offer attractive compensation and benefits to secure skilled talent, while also indicating a strong ecosystem of related industries.

Nearby Job Markets

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

Comparing salaries near Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Hiring Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?

The median annual salary for a Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is $57,960. This typically ranges from $40,440 for entry-level positions to $72,990 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is 24.4% higher than the national median of $46,600.

Is Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA a lucrative place for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?

Yes, this is a lucrative location for these roles.The average salary of $57,960 is significantly higher than the national average, and the cost of living is on par with the national average, offering strong earning potential.

Is Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA 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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?

Some top paying nearby cities include Longview-Kelso, WA ($50,910) and Albany, OR.

How does the local salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is $57,960, which is approximately $11,360 higher than the national average of $46,600.

What is the concentration of these jobs in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?

The Location Quotient is 1.66, meaning there are about 66% more jobs for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in this area compared to the national average.

How many workers are in this field locally?

There are approximately 920 individuals employed as Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metropolitan area.

Does the cost of living affect the salary's value?

No, the Cost of Living Index is 100, which is the national average. Therefore, the salary of $57,960 has the same purchasing power as the national average salary.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 920 employees in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA area with a job density of 0.756 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.