SOC 51-4031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — Idaho
Idaho · 6 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Idaho is $39,580 a year, trailing the national median of $46,330 by 14.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Idaho is $39,580 a year, trailing the national median of $46,330 by 14.6%. Half of workers earn between $37,650 and $46,200. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $36,240 and the ninetieth at $50,540.
The area has 720 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.8 of every thousand jobs. Among the 49 states with published data for this occupation, Idaho ranks 47th by median wage. Pocatello leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $44,790. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 516th of 617 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,240 | −21.8% |
| 25th | $37,650 | −18.7% |
| Median (50th) | $39,580 | −14.6% |
| 75th | $46,200 | −0.3% |
| 90th | $50,540 | +9.1% |
| Mean | $42,920 | −7.4% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Idaho
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pocatello | $44,790 | 50 | |
| 2 | Boise City | $40,560 | 150 | |
| 3 | Lewiston | $39,520 | 140 | |
| 4 | Coeur d'Alene | $39,030 | 110 | |
| 5 | Idaho Falls | $36,940 | 60 | |
| 6 | Twin Falls | $36,510 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Idaho run 4.5% below the national average, so the median of $39,580 goes as far as $41,445 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$39,580as reported by BLSLocal price level
95.5US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$41,445US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $39,580 a year, 14.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,240 to $50,540 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 720 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 47th of 49 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Pocatello, at $44,790.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Idaho?
The median annual wage is $39,580, or $19.03 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 Idaho is 14.6% 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 Idaho earns more than $50,540 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,240 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 Pocatello, at $44,790 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 720 jobs in this occupation in Idaho. 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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