SOC 51-4031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — Louisiana
Louisiana · 4 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Louisiana is $40,870 a year, trailing the national median of $46,330 by 11.8%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Louisiana is $40,870 a year, trailing the national median of $46,330 by 11.8%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $37,660 and $48,900. The lowest tenth earn under $35,730, while the highest tenth earn more than $60,960.
The area has 760 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.4 of every thousand jobs. Louisiana ranks number 45th out of 49 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Baton Rouge records the highest median at $47,240. Of the 679 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 493rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,730 | −22.9% |
| 25th | $37,660 | −18.7% |
| Median (50th) | $40,870 | −11.8% |
| 75th | $48,900 | +5.5% |
| 90th | $60,960 | +31.6% |
| Mean | $44,990 | −2.9% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Louisiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baton Rouge | $47,240 | 310 | |
| 2 | New Orleans | $46,380 | 40 | |
| 3 | Houma | $42,630 | 50 | |
| 4 | Shreveport | $35,730 | 110 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Louisiana run 11.8% below the national average, so the median of $40,870 goes as far as $46,338 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 0.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$40,870as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$46,338US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $40,870 a year, 11.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,730 to $60,960 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 760 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 45th of 49 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Baton Rouge, at $47,240.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Louisiana?
The median annual wage is $40,870, or $19.65 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 Louisiana is 11.8% 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 Louisiana earns more than $60,960 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,730 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 Baton Rouge, at $47,240 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 760 jobs in this occupation in Louisiana. 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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