SOC 51-9032 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — Elkhart
Elkhart-Goshen, IN · 6 metro areas compared
At $45,860, median pay for Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Elkhart, IN tracks the national median of $46,570 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $45,860, median pay for Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Elkhart, IN tracks the national median of $46,570 closely. Pay ranges from under $37,490 at the tenth percentile to more than $53,690 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $38,750 to $48,890.
The area has 350 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 9.60 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Terre Haute records the highest median at $53,180. Of the 307 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 209th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,490 | −19.5% |
| 25th | $38,750 | −16.8% |
| Median (50th) | $45,860 | −1.5% |
| 75th | $48,890 | +5.0% |
| 90th | $53,690 | +15.3% |
| Mean | $45,180 | −3.0% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Terre Haute | $53,180 | 90 | |
| 2 | South Bend | $47,170 | 60 | |
| 3 | Indianapolis | $47,030 | 380 | |
| 4 | Fort Wayne | $46,420 | 130 | |
| 5 | Evansville | $45,980 | 50 | |
| 6 | Bloomington | $43,220 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Elkhart run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $45,860 goes as far as $49,153 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$45,860as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$49,153US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $45,860 a year, 1.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,490 to $53,690 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 350 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Terre Haute, at $53,180.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Elkhart, IN?
The median annual wage is $45,860, or $22.05 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $46,570, so pay in Elkhart, IN is 1.5% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Elkhart, IN earns more than $53,690 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,490 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Terre Haute, at $53,180 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 350 jobs in this occupation in Elkhart, IN. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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