SOC 39-9011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Childcare Workers — Lafayette
Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN · 10 metro areas compared
In Lafayette, IN the median wage is $30,720.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Lafayette, IN the median wage is $30,720. That is 12.2% lower than the national median of $34,980. Pay ranges from under $24,130 at the tenth percentile to more than $36,180 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $28,330 to $35,000.
The area has 380 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.13 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Muncie records the highest median at $30,800. Of the 308 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 291st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24,130 | −31.0% |
| 25th | $28,330 | −19.0% |
| Median (50th) | $30,720 | −12.2% |
| 75th | $35,000 | +0.1% |
| 90th | $36,180 | +3.4% |
| Mean | $31,330 | −10.4% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muncie | $30,800 | 340 | |
| 2 | Indianapolis | $30,650 | 2,760 | |
| 3 | Fort Wayne | $30,050 | 680 | |
| 4 | Kokomo | $29,930 | 120 | |
| 5 | Evansville | $29,880 | 400 | |
| 6 | South Bend | $29,840 | 380 | |
| 7 | Elkhart | $29,790 | 130 | |
| 8 | Bloomington | $29,510 | 170 | |
| 9 | Michigan City | $28,970 | 70 | |
| 10 | Terre Haute | $28,200 | 210 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lafayette run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $30,720 goes as far as $32,926 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$30,720as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,926US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $30,720 a year, 12.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $24,130 to $36,180 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 380 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Muncie, at $30,800.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Childcare Workers in Lafayette, IN?
The median annual wage is $30,720, or $14.77 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 $34,980, so pay in Lafayette, IN is 12.2% 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 Lafayette, IN earns more than $36,180 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $24,130 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 Muncie, at $30,800 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 380 jobs in this occupation in Lafayette, 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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