SOC 51-4111 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Tool and Die Makers — Columbus
Columbus, IN · 8 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Columbus, IN comes to $71,180 a year, ahead of the national median of $64,050 by 11.1%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Columbus, IN comes to $71,180 a year, ahead of the national median of $64,050 by 11.1%. Pay ranges from under $43,440 at the tenth percentile to more than $92,940 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $57,380 to $78,910.
The area has 180 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 9.65 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Lafayette records the highest median at $80,060. Of the 187 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 57th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $43,440 | −32.2% |
| 25th | $57,380 | −10.4% |
| Median (50th) | $71,180 | +11.1% |
| 75th | $78,910 | +23.2% |
| 90th | $92,940 | +45.1% |
| Mean | $68,240 | +6.5% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lafayette | $80,060 | 80 | |
| 2 | Michigan City | $67,650 | 90 | |
| 3 | Elkhart | $62,540 | 180 | |
| 4 | Indianapolis | $62,040 | 570 | |
| 5 | South Bend | $61,760 | 140 | |
| 6 | Fort Wayne | $61,340 | 340 | |
| 7 | Muncie | $61,310 | 60 | |
| 8 | Evansville | $60,890 | 160 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Columbus run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $71,180 goes as far as $76,292 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 19.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$71,180as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$76,292US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $71,180 a year, 11.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $43,440 to $92,940 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 180 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Lafayette, at $80,060.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Tool and Die Makers in Columbus, IN?
The median annual wage is $71,180, or $34.22 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 $64,050, so pay in Columbus, IN is 11.1% 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 Columbus, IN earns more than $92,940 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $43,440 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 Lafayette, at $80,060 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 180 jobs in this occupation in Columbus, 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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