SOC 51-4031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, LA · 3 metro areas compared
At $47,240, median pay for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Baton Rouge, LA tracks the national median of $46,330 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $47,240, median pay for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Baton Rouge, LA tracks the national median of $46,330 closely. Pay ranges from under $37,660 at the tenth percentile to more than $61,860 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $37,660 to $52,230.
Employment stands at 310, or 0.8 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, New Orleans records the highest median at $46,380. Of the 491 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 317th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,660 | −18.7% |
| 25th | $37,660 | −18.7% |
| Median (50th) | $47,240 | +2.0% |
| 75th | $52,230 | +12.7% |
| 90th | $61,860 | +33.5% |
| Mean | $47,160 | +1.8% |
Other metro areas in Louisiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Orleans | $46,380 | 40 | |
| 2 | Houma | $42,630 | 50 | |
| 3 | Shreveport | $35,730 | 110 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Baton Rouge run 11.8% below the national average, so the median of $47,240 goes as far as $53,560 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 15.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$47,240as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$53,560US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $47,240 a year, 2.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,660 to $61,860 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 310 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is New Orleans, at $46,380.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Baton Rouge, LA?
The median annual wage is $47,240, or $22.71 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 $46,330, so pay in Baton Rouge, LA is 2.0% higher. 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 Baton Rouge, LA earns more than $61,860 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,660 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 New Orleans, at $46,380 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 310 jobs in this occupation in Baton Rouge, LA. 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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