SOC 51-4051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders — Michigan City
Michigan City-La Porte, IN · 2 metro areas compared
In Michigan City, IN the median wage is $46,960.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Michigan City, IN the median wage is $46,960. That is 13.7% lower than the national median of $54,430. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $46,960 and $55,090. The lowest tenth earn under $41,740, while the highest tenth earn more than $59,660.
The area has 70 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 16.27 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Indianapolis leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $50,040. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 114th of 195 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $41,740 | −23.3% |
| 25th | $46,960 | −13.7% |
| Median (50th) | $46,960 | −13.7% |
| 75th | $55,090 | +1.2% |
| 90th | $59,660 | +9.6% |
| Mean | $50,010 | −8.1% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indianapolis | $50,040 | 90 | |
| 2 | Fort Wayne | $46,380 | 130 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Michigan City run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $46,960 goes as far as $50,332 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 7.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$46,960as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$50,332US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $46,960 a year, 13.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $41,740 to $59,660 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 70 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Indianapolis, at $50,040.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in Michigan City, IN?
The median annual wage is $46,960, or $22.58 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 $54,430, so pay in Michigan City, IN is 13.7% 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 $59,660 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $41,740 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 $50,040 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 70 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.
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