In Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN, Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn an average annual salary of $45,190. This figure is slightly below the national average of $47,060, a common occurrence in regions with a strong industrial focus that may offer different compensation structures. The local economic landscape and specific industry demands in Lafayette-West Lafayette contribute to this salary benchmark.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $45,190 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 4.7% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $50,410.
- Outlook: The Lafayette-West Lafayette area demonstrates a robust job market for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, evidenced by a substantial local workforce of 500 individuals. The exceptionally high Location Quotient of 4.37 signifies a significant concentration of these roles compared to the national average, indicating strong demand and a specialized industrial base within the region.
Salary Overview
The average Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN earns-4.0%below the national average.
$21.7
$869
$3,766
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for this niche role in Lafayette-West Lafayette is not provided, it is reasonable to assume a general upward trend in salaries over the past four years, mirroring national economic patterns and inflation adjustments. The demand indicated by the high Location Quotient suggests that employers have likely been incentivized to increase compensation to attract and retain skilled labor in this specialized field.
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary Distribution in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
Career progression for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic typically involves a salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions might start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned professionals with extensive experience and specialized skills can command significantly higher salaries, potentially reaching the upper percentiles. The gap between entry-level and senior roles represents substantial career growth opportunities and increased earning potential.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| ApprenticeLearning trade under supervision. Classroom + OJT. | 10% (Entry) | $36,380 | $17.5 |
| JourneymanLicensed/Certified. Works independently on standard tasks. | 25% (Junior) | $33,893 | $16.3 |
| Senior TechnicianHandles complex installations & troubleshooting. | 50% (Median) | $48,110 | $23.1 |
| Foreman / MasterSupervises crews, handles permits & code compliance. | 75% (Senior) | $56,488 | $27.2 |
| SuperintendentSite management, business owner, or master tradesman. | 90% (Expert) | $50,410 | $24.2 |
Detailed Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$45,190
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$45,190
Adjusted for COL (100)
The nominal average annual salary of $45,190 in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN, aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of the salary in Lafayette-West Lafayette is equivalent to the national average, offering a stable financial environment for residents without the added pressure of unusually high or low living expenses.
Job Market Context
500
Total Jobs
4.947
Per 1K Jobs
4.37
Location Quotient
Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN has 4.4x the national concentration of Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.
With a Location Quotient of 4.37, Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN, exhibits a highly concentrated market for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic. This indicates that the region has a disproportionately large number of these jobs relative to the national average, suggesting a specialized industrial sector and potentially high demand for qualified professionals in this specific trade.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Comparing salaries near Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
Hiring Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The median annual salary for a Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN is $45,190. This typically ranges from $36,380 for entry-level positions to $50,410 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN is 4.0% lower than the national median of $47,060.
Is Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN a lucrative place for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics?
Yes, it is a highly concentrated market with average cost of living.The high Location Quotient of 4.37 points to significant demand and concentration of these roles. Coupled with a Cost of Living Index at the national average, the $45,190 salary offers stable purchasing power.
Is Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN a good place to live for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics?
The Cost of Living Index in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
Some top paying nearby cities include Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area ($44,860) and Southern Indiana nonmetropolitan area.
How does the Lafayette-West Lafayette salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary of $45,190 in Lafayette-West Lafayette is slightly lower than the national average of $47,060, but this is offset by a cost of living that is exactly at the national average.
What does a Location Quotient of 4.37 mean for this job role?
A Location Quotient of 4.37 signifies that the concentration of Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic jobs in Lafayette-West Lafayette is more than four times the national average, indicating a specialized and robust local industry for this profession.
How does the cost of living in Lafayette-West Lafayette affect the salary?
With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the national average, the $45,190 salary in Lafayette-West Lafayette provides purchasing power equivalent to the national average, making it a stable financial environment.
What is the total number of these jobs in Lafayette-West Lafayette?
There are approximately 500 Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic employed within the Lafayette-West Lafayette area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 500 employees in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN area with a job density of 4.947 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN