Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in Merced, CA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Merced, CA have a median annual salary of $36,820, with 50 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $36,550 at the 10th percentile to $50,700 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$36,820

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$17.70

Employment

50

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$36,550
10th
$36,810
25th
$36,820
Median
$40,140
75th
$50,700
90th

Local compared with national

Merced, CA

$36,820

Median annual · 2025

United States

$48,540

Median annual · 2025

The Merced, CA median is 24.1% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $11,720).

Top skills

  1. 1.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.9
  2. 2.Operation and ControlImportance 3.9
  3. 3.MonitoringImportance 3.1
  4. 4.Quality Control AnalysisImportance 3.1
  5. 5.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.0
  6. 6.Active ListeningImportance 3.0
  7. 7.SpeakingImportance 3.0
  8. 8.CoordinationImportance 3.0
  9. 9.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.0
  10. 10.Time ManagementImportance 3.0
  11. 11.WritingImportance 2.9
  12. 12.Critical ThinkingImportance 2.9

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • Email software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Word
  • SAP software

Common tasks

  • Observe operation of equipment to ensure continuity of flow, safety, and efficient operation, and to detect malfunctions.
  • Clean, adjust, and maintain equipment, using hand tools.
  • Tend accessory equipment, such as pumps and conveyors, to move materials or ingredients through production processes.
  • Move controls to start, stop, or adjust machinery and equipment that crushes, grinds, polishes, or blends materials.
  • Notify supervisors of needed repairs.
  • Weigh or measure materials, ingredients, or products at specified intervals to ensure conformance to requirements.
  • Record data from operations, testing, and production on specified forms.
  • Reject defective products and readjust equipment to eliminate problems.
  • Inspect chains, belts, or scrolls for signs of wear.
  • Clean work areas.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in other locations

Other occupations in Merced, CA