SOC 51-4033 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — Michigan City
Michigan City-La Porte, IN · 7 metro areas compared
The median wage for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Michigan City, IN is $39,050 per year, 16.1% below the national median of $46,550.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Michigan City, IN is $39,050 per year, 16.1% below the national median of $46,550. Pay ranges from under $38,790 at the tenth percentile to more than $49,390 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $39,040 to $49,390.
Employment stands at 170, or 4.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Indianapolis leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $47,680. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 144th of 195 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,790 | −16.7% |
| 25th | $39,040 | −16.1% |
| Median (50th) | $39,050 | −16.1% |
| 75th | $49,390 | +6.1% |
| 90th | $49,390 | +6.1% |
| Mean | $44,390 | −4.6% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indianapolis | $47,680 | 790 | |
| 2 | Elkhart | $47,440 | 220 | |
| 3 | Fort Wayne | $46,530 | 200 | |
| 4 | Terre Haute | $46,370 | 60 | |
| 5 | Evansville | $45,230 | 60 | |
| 6 | South Bend | $44,340 | 160 | |
| 7 | Columbus | $43,240 | 120 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Michigan City run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $39,050 goes as far as $41,854 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$39,050as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$41,854US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $39,050 a year, 16.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,790 to $49,390 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 170 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Indianapolis, at $47,680.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Michigan City, IN?
The median annual wage is $39,050, or $18.78 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 $46,550, so pay in Michigan City, IN is 16.1% 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 Michigan City, IN earns more than $49,390 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,790 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 Indianapolis, at $47,680 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 170 jobs in this occupation in Michigan City, 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.
Explore related data