SOC 51-9012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — Louisiana
Louisiana · 3 metro areas compared
The median wage for Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Louisiana is $58,640 per year, 13.6% above the national median of $51,610.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Louisiana is $58,640 per year, 13.6% above the national median of $51,610. Half of workers earn between $45,580 and $72,170. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $34,900 and the ninetieth at $77,340.
The area has 770 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.4 of every thousand jobs. Louisiana ranks number 8th out of 50 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, New Orleans records the highest median at $59,100. Of the 679 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 303rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,900 | −32.4% |
| 25th | $45,580 | −11.7% |
| Median (50th) | $58,640 | +13.6% |
| 75th | $72,170 | +39.8% |
| 90th | $77,340 | +49.9% |
| Mean | $57,590 | +11.6% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Louisiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Orleans | $59,100 | 160 | |
| 2 | Baton Rouge | $49,460 | 100 | |
| 3 | Lafayette | $45,910 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Louisiana run 11.8% below the national average, so the median of $58,640 goes as far as $66,485 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 28.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$58,640as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$66,485US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $58,640 a year, 13.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,900 to $77,340 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 770 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 8th of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is New Orleans, at $59,100.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Louisiana?
The median annual wage is $58,640, or $28.19 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 $51,610, so pay in Louisiana is 13.6% 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 Louisiana earns more than $77,340 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,900 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 New Orleans, at $59,100 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 770 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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