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Grinder operator salary
Average grinder operator salary
$37,978
Average Grinder Operator Salary
The average salary for a grinder operator is approximately $37,978 per year, translating to around $18 per hour. Salaries can fluctuate based on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions typically start lower, while those with several years of experience can expect a significant increase in earnings.
Salary by Experience Level
Grinder operators with entry-level experience earn about $30,000 annually. With five to ten years of experience, this can rise to $40,000 or more. Mastery of specific machinery and techniques often leads to better-paying positions.
Highest Paying States for Grinder Operators
Geographical location significantly impacts salary. For instance, states like California and Texas typically offer higher salaries due to the demand for manufacturing roles. In contrast, states with less industrial activity may provide lower compensation.
Job Opportunities
Grinder operators can find opportunities in various sectors, including aerospace, automotive, and construction. Pursuing certifications and specialized training can enhance job prospects and increase earning potential.
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Where can a Grinder Operator earn more?
Grinder operator salaries by experience level
Grinder operator salary estimates from across the web
Average grinder operator salary by state
The highest-paying states for grinder operators are Alaska, Oregon, and North Dakota. The lowest average grinder operator salary states are Georgia, Mississippi, and Alabama.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for grinder operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $47,679 | $22.92 |
| 2 | Minnesota | $41,495 | $19.95 |
| 3 | Wisconsin | $39,161 | $18.83 |
| 4 | Nebraska | $40,611 | $19.52 |
| 5 | Oregon | $44,485 | $21.39 |
| 6 | North Dakota | $43,031 | $20.69 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $38,847 | $18.68 |
| 8 | Nevada | $40,376 | $19.41 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $39,340 | $18.91 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $38,279 | $18.40 |
| 11 | Idaho | $40,218 | $19.34 |
| 12 | Iowa | $37,722 | $18.14 |
| 13 | Washington | $41,525 | $19.96 |
| 14 | Utah | $38,256 | $18.39 |
| 15 | Hawaii | $41,700 | $20.05 |
| 16 | Maine | $38,749 | $18.63 |
| 17 | Wyoming | $40,190 | $19.32 |
| 18 | Kansas | $37,569 | $18.06 |
| 19 | California | $41,492 | $19.95 |
| 20 | Ohio | $35,744 | $17.18 |
| 21 | South Dakota | $37,774 | $18.16 |
| 22 | District of Columbia | $40,109 | $19.28 |
| 23 | Arizona | $37,937 | $18.24 |
| 24 | Missouri | $36,569 | $17.58 |
| 25 | Colorado | $39,485 | $18.98 |
| 26 | New Jersey | $37,213 | $17.89 |
| 27 | New York | $39,217 | $18.85 |
| 28 | South Carolina | $35,484 | $17.06 |
| 29 | Kentucky | $34,090 | $16.39 |
| 30 | Connecticut | $37,237 | $17.90 |
| 31 | Michigan | $35,099 | $16.87 |
| 32 | New Hampshire | $34,289 | $16.49 |
| 33 | Illinois | $35,662 | $17.15 |
| 34 | Texas | $35,601 | $17.12 |
| 35 | Louisiana | $36,157 | $17.38 |
| 36 | New Mexico | $36,740 | $17.66 |
| 37 | Delaware | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| 38 | Maryland | $37,531 | $18.04 |
| 39 | Montana | $36,519 | $17.56 |
| 40 | Florida | $35,533 | $17.08 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $31,991 | $15.38 |
| 42 | North Carolina | $33,334 | $16.03 |
| 43 | Arkansas | $33,312 | $16.02 |
| 44 | Georgia | $33,001 | $15.87 |
| 45 | Mississippi | $32,550 | $15.65 |
| 46 | Indiana | $31,408 | $15.10 |
| 47 | West Virginia | $33,512 | $16.11 |
| 48 | Vermont | $33,700 | $16.20 |
| 49 | Alabama | $32,441 | $15.60 |
| 50 | Virginia | $34,557 | $16.61 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $32,373 | $15.56 |
Highest paying cities for grinder operators
The highest-paying cities for grinder operators are Portland, OR, Saint Paul, MN, and Los Angeles, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portland, OR | $44,414 | $21.35 |
| 2 | Saint Paul, MN | $41,560 | $19.98 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $40,896 | $19.66 |
| 4 | Casper, WY | $39,955 | $19.21 |
| 5 | Franklin Town, MA | $39,434 | $18.96 |
| 6 | Hazleton, PA | $38,925 | $18.71 |
| 7 | Salt Lake City, UT | $38,282 | $18.40 |
| 8 | Wichita, KS | $37,549 | $18.05 |
| 9 | Euclid, OH | $36,840 | $17.71 |
| 10 | Arlington Heights, IL | $35,964 | $17.29 |
| 11 | Houston, TX | $35,443 | $17.04 |
| 12 | Columbus, MS | $32,401 | $15.58 |
Grinder operator salary details
A grinder operator's salary ranges from $29,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $49,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a grinder operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $49,000 | $4,083 | $24 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
| Average | $37,978 | $3,165 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
Highest paying grinder operator jobs
The highest paying types of grinder operators are mill operator, operator, and cell operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | $32,452 | $2,704 | $15.60 | 120,073 |
| Assembling Machine Operator | $31,275 | $2,606 | $15.04 | 87,253 |
| Grinder | $33,001 | $2,750 | $15.87 | 3,409 |
| Handle Machine Operator | $29,598 | $2,467 | $14.23 | 110,258 |
| Saw Operator | $32,319 | $2,693 | $15.54 | 58,465 |
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
Top companies hiring grinder operators now:
Which companies pay grinder operators the most?
Grinder operator salaries at BD and Hoehn Plastics are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average grinder operator salary at companies like Kennametal and North American Stainless are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BD | $50,559 | $24.31 |
| 2 | Hoehn Plastics | $47,156 | $22.67 |
| 3 | Kennametal | $46,893 | $22.54 |
| 4 | North American Stainless | $44,739 | $21.51 |
| 5 | Waupaca Foundry | $44,626 | $21.45 |
| 6 | Voith GmbH | $43,965 | $21.14 |
| 7 | Nordson | $42,588 | $20.48 |
| 8 | Eaton | $39,902 | $19.18 |
| 9 | Auburn Gear | $39,767 | $19.12 |
| 10 | PPG | $39,648 | $19.06 |
| 11 | Textron | $39,580 | $19.03 |
| 12 | Belcan | $39,549 | $19.01 |
| 13 | Dynex/Rivett | $39,508 | $18.99 |
| 14 | SavATree | $39,306 | $18.90 |
| 15 | Presrite | $39,219 | $18.86 |
| 16 | RBC Bearings | $39,143 | $18.82 |
| 17 | Ryerson | $39,038 | $18.77 |
| 18 | Fives | $38,981 | $18.74 |
| 19 | Cargill | $38,674 | $18.59 |
| 20 | 3M Company | $38,634 | $18.57 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Grinder Operator salary by industry
The average grinder operator salary varies across industries:
- The average grinder operator salary in the automotive industry is $41,629, the highest of any industry.
- The average grinder operator salary in the finance industry is $38,243.
- Grinder operators in the manufacturing industry earn an average salary of $38,180, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for grinder operators
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Automotive | $41,629 | $20.01 |
| 2 | Professional | $38,243 | $18.39 |
| 3 | Technology | $38,190 | $18.36 |
| 4 | Agriculture | $38,187 | $18.36 |
| 5 | Manufacturing | $38,180 | $18.36 |
High paying grinder operator jobs
Grinder operator salary trends
The average grinder operator salary has risen by $7,634 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average grinder operator earned $30,344 annually, but today, they earn $37,978 a year. That works out to a 16% change in pay for grinder operators over the last decade.
Compare grinder operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average grinder operator salary over time
Compare grinder operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Grinder operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $38,000 | $18.26 | +3.6% |
| 2024 | $36,600 | $17.60 | +4.0% |
| 2023 | $35,100 | $16.89 | +3.2% |
| 2022 | $34,000 | $16.35 | +3.5% |
| 2021 | $32,800 | $15.78 | +1.1% |
Recently added grinder operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staffmark Group | Grinder Operator | South Gate, CA | 06/27/2025 | $39,653 |
| Industrias Bachoco, S.A. de C.V | Fryer/Grinder Operator-2Nd Shift-Fort | Fort Smith, AR | 06/26/2025 | $34,957 |
| Aerotek | Grinder Operator | Erlanger, KY | 06/24/2025 | $41,740 |
| Tyson Foods | Grinder Operator 1St. Shift-Broken Bow OK | Broken Bow, OK | 06/23/2025 | $36,627 |
| Polychem | Grinder Operator | Mentor, OH | 06/20/2025 | $41,740 |
| Aerotek | Grinder Operator | Wilsonville, OR | 06/18/2025 | $43,827 |
| Orbia Advance Corporation | Grinder Operator | Gainesville, TX | 06/17/2025 | $39,653 |
| Staffmark Group | Grinder Operator | Manor, TX | 06/16/2025 | $37,566 |
| Manpowergroup | Grinder Operator | Orchard Park, NY | 06/07/2025 | $41,740 |
| Empower Manufacturing | OD Grinder Operator-Second Shift | Moraine, OH | 06/07/2025 | $41,740 |
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