Surface Grinder Salary in the United States

How much does a Surface Grinder make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Surface Grinder in the United States is $46,487 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.

However, a Surface Grinder's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $51,888
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $41,341 to $49,314
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $36,656

Key Factors That Influence Surface Grinder Salaries

A Surface Grinder's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Surface Grinder Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Surface Grinder's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $45,986
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $46,487
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $47,738
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $48,454
  • Expert (over 8 years): $48,633
Levels Salary
Entry Level Surface Grinder$45,986
Intermediate Level Surface Grinder$46,487
Senior Level Surface Grinder$47,738
Specialist Level Surface Grinder$48,454
Expert Level Surface Grinder$48,633

How Do Surface Grinder Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Surface Grinders. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $51,470.
  • California: $51,275.
  • Massachusetts: $50,591.

Top Paying Cities for Surface Grinders

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $58,634
  • San Francisco: $57,992
  • Oakland: $56,770

What Skills Can Increase a Surface Grinder's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Innovation (Mentioned in 2.92% Job Postings): The ability and process of implementing new ideas and initiatives to improve organizational performance.
  • Container (Mentioned in 2.36% Job Postings): Container is an object used for or capable of holding, esp for transport or storage, such as a carton, box, etc.
  • Product Specifications (Mentioned in 1.94% Job Postings): Ability to create, read, and follow product specifications for the design and development of the product.
Skills Demand Percentage
Innovation 2.92%
Container 2.36%
Product Specifications 1.94%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Surface Grinder's salary.

  • Active Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Information Capture: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Quality Management System: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Active Learning $56,714
22%
Information Capture $55,319
19%
Quality Management System $53,460
15%

Surface Grinder Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Surface Grinder roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and MFG Durable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Surface Grinder positions in Construction or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Surface Grinder as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Surface Grinder

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$60,433$29.030%
MFG Durable$48,811$23.05%

How Education impacts a Surface Grinder's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Surface Grinders enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Surface Grinder with a No Diploma is between $36,906 and $39,877).

Surface Grinder Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Surface Grinder
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 10.5%
High School 78.9%
Associates 10.5%
Bachelors 0.0%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%

Surface Grinder Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Surface Grinder's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$41,341
Average $46,487/year
$49,314
$3,445
Average $3,874/month
$4,110
$795
Average $894/week
$948
$20
Average $22/hour
$24
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $49,314 $4,110 $948 $24
Average $46,487 $3,874 $894 $22
25th Percentile $41,341 $3,445 $795 $20

Most common benefits for Surface Grinder

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Surface Grinder

Here are companies hiring for Surface Grinder and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Surface Grinder

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Surface Grinder?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Surface Grinder roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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