SOC 39-9032 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Recreation Workers — Lafayette
Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Lafayette, IN is $30,640 a year, trailing the national median of $36,560 by 16.2%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Lafayette, IN is $30,640 a year, trailing the national median of $36,560 by 16.2%. Half of workers earn between $27,390 and $35,110. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $24,430 and the ninetieth at $43,240.
The area has 200 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.0 of every thousand jobs. Michigan City leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $35,990. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 293rd of 308 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24,430 | −33.2% |
| 25th | $27,390 | −25.1% |
| Median (50th) | $30,640 | −16.2% |
| 75th | $35,110 | −4.0% |
| 90th | $43,240 | +18.3% |
| Mean | $32,310 | −11.6% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan City | $35,990 | 170 | |
| 2 | Elkhart | $35,450 | 160 | |
| 3 | Indianapolis | $30,570 | 2,750 | |
| 4 | Columbus | $30,420 | 80 | |
| 5 | South Bend | $30,190 | 660 | |
| 6 | Fort Wayne | $29,980 | 460 | |
| 7 | Evansville | $29,300 | 400 | |
| 8 | Bloomington | $29,180 | 180 | |
| 9 | Muncie | $28,930 | 130 | |
| 10 | Terre Haute | $28,390 | 180 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lafayette run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $30,640 goes as far as $32,840 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$30,640as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,840US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $30,640 a year, 16.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $24,430 to $43,240 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 200 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Michigan City, at $35,990.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Recreation Workers in Lafayette, IN?
The median annual wage is $30,640, or $14.73 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 $36,560, so pay in Lafayette, IN is 16.2% 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 $43,240 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $24,430 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 Michigan City, at $35,990 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 200 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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