SOC 51-4034 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — Indianapolis
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN · 3 metro areas compared
The median wage for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Indianapolis, IN is $52,570 per year, close to the national median of $50,620 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Indianapolis, IN is $52,570 per year, close to the national median of $50,620 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $43,970 and $64,180. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $40,300 and the ninetieth at $65,220.
Employment stands at 130, or 0.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, South Bend records the highest median at $52,000. Of the 621 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 356th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,300 | −20.4% |
| 25th | $43,970 | −13.1% |
| Median (50th) | $52,570 | +3.9% |
| 75th | $64,180 | +26.8% |
| 90th | $65,220 | +28.8% |
| Mean | $53,560 | +5.8% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Bend | $52,000 | 40 | |
| 2 | Fort Wayne | $49,340 | 80 | |
| 3 | Terre Haute | $47,600 | 30 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Indianapolis run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $52,570 goes as far as $56,345 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 11.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$52,570as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$56,345US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $52,570 a year, 3.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $40,300 to $65,220 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 130 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is South Bend, at $52,000.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Indianapolis, IN?
The median annual wage is $52,570, or $25.27 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 $50,620, so pay in Indianapolis, IN is 3.9% 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 Indianapolis, IN earns more than $65,220 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $40,300 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 South Bend, at $52,000 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 130 jobs in this occupation in Indianapolis, 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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