SOC 13-1051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cost Estimators — Lafayette
Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN · 10 metro areas compared
At $74,820, median pay for Cost Estimators in Lafayette, IN tracks the national median of $78,740 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $74,820, median pay for Cost Estimators in Lafayette, IN tracks the national median of $78,740 closely. Pay ranges from under $49,670 at the tenth percentile to more than $99,760 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $60,460 to $90,780.
The area has 120 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.85 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Columbus records the highest median at $80,800. Of the 308 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 79th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,670 | −36.9% |
| 25th | $60,460 | −23.2% |
| Median (50th) | $74,820 | −5.0% |
| 75th | $90,780 | +15.3% |
| 90th | $99,760 | +26.7% |
| Mean | $75,490 | −4.1% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus | $80,800 | 50 | |
| 2 | Evansville | $77,290 | 240 | |
| 3 | Indianapolis | $76,730 | 1,690 | |
| 4 | Kokomo | $76,490 | 40 | |
| 5 | Bloomington | $76,450 | 70 | |
| 6 | South Bend | $71,550 | 170 | |
| 7 | Fort Wayne | $71,200 | 380 | |
| 8 | Elkhart | $70,690 | 190 | |
| 9 | Michigan City | $69,000 | 60 | |
| 10 | Muncie | $63,870 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lafayette run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $74,820 goes as far as $80,193 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 1.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$74,820as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$80,193US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $74,820 a year, 5.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $49,670 to $99,760 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 120 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Columbus, at $80,800.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cost Estimators in Lafayette, IN?
The median annual wage is $74,820, or $35.97 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 $78,740, so pay in Lafayette, IN is 5.0% 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 $99,760 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $49,670 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 Columbus, at $80,800 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 120 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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