Machinist Salary in Lafayette, IN
Machinists in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area earn a median $62,220 a year — 6% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $50,368 take-home, or $4,197 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median machinist salary in Lafayette, IN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,286
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,858
- Medicare (1.45%)$902
- Indiana income tax$1,806
- Take-home pay$50,368
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.95% state
Machinist pay by experience in Lafayette, IN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,060 | $19.74 | $33,990 | $2,832 |
| 25th percentile | $55,720 | $26.79 | $45,337 | $3,778 |
| Median (50th) | $62,220 | $29.91 | $50,368 | $4,197 |
| 75th percentile | $62,220 | $29.91 | $50,368 | $4,197 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,610 | $36.35 | $59,821 | $4,985 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Indiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $62,220 buys in Lafayette, IN
Prices in Lafayette, IN are 6.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 24% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median machinist's $50,368 take-home pay has the buying power of $53,910 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Lafayette, IN has 3.8× the national concentration of machinist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for machinists, adjusted for cost of living
Lafayette, IN ranks #12 of 115 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baton Rouge, LA | $67,700 | $54,812 | $60,379 |
| 2 | New Orleans, LA | $66,990 | $54,334 | $58,678 |
| 3 | St. Cloud, MN | $62,230 | $49,474 | $56,456 |
| 4 | Kingsport, TN | $57,890 | $48,695 | $56,329 |
| 5 | Davenport, IA | $61,710 | $50,071 | $56,209 |
| 6 | Lafayette, LA | $59,830 | $48,845 | $56,009 |
| 7 | Toledo, OH | $62,190 | $51,222 | $56,008 |
| 8 | Beaumont, TX | $59,800 | $50,229 | $55,782 |
| 12 | Lafayette, IN | $62,220 | $50,368 | $53,910 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 115 metros →
Machinist salaries elsewhere in Indiana
- Columbus, IN — $61,230
- Fort Wayne, IN — $53,770
- South Bend, IN — $51,990
- Elkhart, IN — $49,910
- Indianapolis, IN — $50,610
- Bloomington, IN — $47,850
Frequently asked questions
How much does a machinist make in Lafayette, IN?
The median machinist salary in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area is $62,220 a year, or about $29.91 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $55,720 and $62,220.
What is a machinist’s take-home pay in Lafayette, IN?
On the median $62,220 salary, a single filer living in Indiana takes home about $50,368 a year ($4,197 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,806 in Indiana taxes in 2026.
Is Lafayette, IN a good place to work as a machinist?
Pay here is 6% above the national median of $58,750. Local prices are 6.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $53,910 would in a typical U.S. city. Lafayette, IN ranks #12 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a machinist afford rent in Lafayette, IN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lafayette, IN is $999 a month ($1,207 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median machinist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.