City Town Info

Lafayette Employment

Employment and Industries in the Lafayette, Indiana Area

Much of the Lafayette region's economy is based on the academic and industrial activities of nearby Purdue University. The biggest portion of the city's workforce is employed by Purdue University and by its associated businesses. Lafayette is home to companies such as Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Caterpillar, Wabash National and Fairfield Manufacturing. The city includes companies that manufacture items such as electrical, industrial products, aluminum, motor vehicles, pharmaceuticals and rubber products.

The major job providing industries are education, transportation equipment, healthcare, accommodation and food services, manufacturing, professional and scientific and technical services; and metal and metal products. About 28% of the workforce is employed in management, professional and related jobs. About 23% of the workforce is employed in sales and office jobs.

Lafayette has numerous employers. The Lafayette region's top employers include:

  • Purdue University
  • Wabash National Corp
  • Greater Lafayette Health Services
  • Subaru of Indiana Automotive
  • Caterpillar Inc
  • Arnett Clinic
  • Lilly Tippecanoe Labs
  • Tippecanoe School Corp
  • Lafayette School Corp
  • Fairfield Mfg
  • ALCOA
  • Lafayette Venetian Blind
  • State Farm Insurance
  • City of Lafayette
  • Tippecanoe Co Government
  • Ross Gear Division-TRW
  • Tate & Lyle
  • Rea Magnet Wire Corp
  • Chemtura
  • Lafayette Life Insurance Company
  • TRW
  • Landis+Gyr
  • Alorica
  • Lafayette Community Bank

Jobs more prevalent in the city of Lafayette than most cities include agricultural and food science technicians, team assemblers, industrial engineering technicians, industrial production managers, chemists and mechanical engineers.

Interesting information about Lafayette Indiana: The city offers job training funds and enterprise zone incentives via the Greater Lafayette Commerce. In 2008 the cost of living index in the city of Lafayette was 80.7. The nation's average is 100. For the adult population, about 24% hold a bachelor's degree or better. In 2009 the average salary in Lafayette, Indiana was $28,000.

In Lafayette Indiana, companies are provided assistance from associations such as:

Those interested in staying current on Lafayette business activities may want to read the Journal & Courier

Most Popular Jobs in Lafayette, Indiana Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses1,27053,540$40,140 - 66,86024%56%
2Elementary school teachers, except special education66049,410$32,680 - 64,90014%95%
3Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products59061,730$24,610 - 138,7308%51%
4Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education47051,600$33,680 - 71,9106%96%
5Accountants and auditors39058,390$33,090 - 84,03018%79%
6Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education37049,330$31,850 - 65,58011%95%
7Mechanical engineers37060,510$36,160 - 89,9004%78%
8Computer programmers30056,530$36,890 - 79,0300%73%
9Network and computer systems administrators30056,240$41,240 - 78,15027%50%
10Coaches and scouts23032,670$13,610 - 70,17015%60%
11Industrial engineers20069,050$49,310 - 91,01020%74%
12Computer and information systems managers17086,000$57,850 - 119,49016%73%
13Public relations specialists17050,130$26,710 - 77,20018%81%
14Lawyers15088,200$38,610 - 133,58011%99%
15Pharmacists15097,240$83,070 - 126,92022%97%
16Chemists14065,860$37,670 - 104,5209%93%
17Training and development specialists14053,530$25,980 - 83,70018%56%
18Graphic designers14043,270$23,430 - 64,06010%55%
19Engineering managers14098,280$67,360 - 135,4407%84%
20Chief executives140156,630$59,190 - 2%65%
21Medical and health services managers14087,850$45,250 - 153,20016%57%
22Child, family, and school social workers14033,000$26,520 - 39,89019%77%
23Financial managers13091,520$38,540 - 155,47013%60%
24Computer systems analysts13061,950$37,140 - 90,41029%68%
25Sales managers13090,830$33,340 - 161,55010%69%
26Community and social service specialists, all other11029,640$20,500 - 38,50025%58%
27Physical therapists11061,030$30,350 - 83,41027%89%
28Computer software engineers, applications10061,030$40,430 - 87,09045%85%
29Advertising sales agents10037,880$22,350 - 69,72020%56%
30Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists10049,060$23,680 - 75,17018%56%
31Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products10047,630$24,910 - 77,26012%51%
32Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other9035,530$13,420 - 70,97017%56%
33Environmental scientists and specialists, including health9055,720$35,010 - 79,64025%93%
34Database administrators9063,610$40,460 - 105,48029%72%
35Managers, all other9059,860$34,600 - 106,9507%55%
36Librarians8060,390$28,250 - 94,6904%85%
37Education administrators, elementary and secondary school8085,310$55,270 - 115,2708%78%
38Computer software engineers, systems software8069,460$48,050 - 92,16028%85%
39Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents7074,070$33,260 - 152,15025%67%
40Natural sciences managers7085,550$61,970 - 114,63011%93%
41Dietitians and nutritionists7034,120$20,880 - 53,4009%72%
42Veterinarians6070,220$52,850 - 85,89035%100%
43Network systems and data communications analysts6054,860$32,690 - 95,06053%57%
44Budget analysts6059,740$41,960 - 80,1807%78%
45Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation5051,210$29,130 - 79,5805%58%
46Market research analysts5052,420$28,950 - 78,48020%82%
47Surveyors5047,970$29,140 - 74,68024%82%
48Mental health and substance abuse social workers5049,350$35,720 - 64,18030%77%
49Civil engineers5057,430$40,160 - 80,97018%87%
50Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists5060,190$27,720 - 103,02016%99%
51Legislators4080,800$14,340 - 1%65%
52Human resources managers, all other4097,850$39,590 - 166,17011%58%
53Management analysts4090,020$35,640 - 22%78%
54Marketing managers4079,770$37,000 - 132,45014%69%
55Medical and clinical laboratory technologists4051,770$26,980 - 89,74012%51%
56Floral designers4019,420$13,290 - 27,9200%55%
57Purchasing managers4086,630$51,130 - 142,3003%57%
58Merchandise displayers and window trimmers4017,110$13,040 - 20,28011%55%
59Mental health counselors3058,330$47,540 - 68,26030%73%
60Occupational health and safety specialists3051,080$35,670 - 69,6108%72%
61Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists3040,500$28,370 - 55,05011%58%
62Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists3067,710$36,150 - 99,15018%56%
63Speech-language pathologists3054,030$38,890 - 68,45011%98%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Team assemblers4,86039,370$21,410 - 52,0900%5%
2Retail salespersons2,92022,800$13,430 - 40,13012%25%
3Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food2,38015,700$12,870 - 20,91018%5%
4Cashiers2,17016,760$12,970 - 22,360-2%10%
5Office clerks, general1,90023,070$14,670 - 32,17013%19%
6Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners1,77020,730$14,600 - 29,60015%4%
7Waiters and waitresses1,76017,620$12,880 - 24,63011%14%
8Maintenance and repair workers, general1,52033,970$18,770 - 50,38010%6%
9Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer1,35036,650$23,020 - 53,57010%4%
10Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive1,35028,490$21,270 - 37,7601%18%
11Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks1,25030,940$20,470 - 43,59013%16%
12Stock clerks and order fillers1,07021,090$14,100 - 30,340-7%8%
13Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants96023,120$17,790 - 29,93018%7%
14Executive secretaries and administrative assistants85037,080$26,070 - 49,77015%18%
15Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand82021,810$14,470 - 32,2402%5%
16First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers77036,090$21,690 - 50,3104%25%
17Teacher assistants75020,650$15,420 - 25,74010%18%
18First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers73046,310$24,040 - 74,1206%29%
19Customer service representatives71034,830$17,310 - 60,62025%22%
20General and operations managers600100,000$44,740 - 2%48%
21Cooks, fast food60016,030$13,010 - 20,1708%5%
22Truck drivers, light or delivery services60028,750$17,550 - 45,8108%4%
23First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers59054,780$36,880 - 74,350-4%15%
24First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers58032,420$19,460 - 49,76011%14%
25Carpenters57038,010$24,610 - 51,92010%6%
26Maids and housekeeping cleaners53019,600$14,400 - 25,22013%5%
27Industrial truck and tractor operators53031,120$22,230 - 44,520-1%2%
28Cooks, restaurant51019,260$13,250 - 26,71012%5%
29Electricians49050,810$30,870 - 63,6607%7%
30Counter and rental clerks49019,090$13,300 - 27,43023%16%
31Receptionists and information clerks47022,030$14,630 - 30,35017%13%
32Landscaping and groundskeeping workers44025,160$14,540 - 35,40018%6%
33Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses42036,340$28,450 - 44,44014%7%
34Cooks, institution and cafeteria42021,890$16,400 - 29,64011%5%
35Automotive service technicians and mechanics38029,490$16,250 - 46,31014%4%
36Child care workers38015,060$12,830 - 18,62018%15%
37Personal and home care aides37019,150$16,670 - 23,01051%10%
38Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers37035,170$21,140 - 50,560-6%14%
39Tellers36022,890$17,560 - 30,21014%16%
40Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks35026,580$17,040 - 39,2104%6%
41Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop35016,590$13,110 - 20,61010%8%
42Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop34015,970$12,880 - 19,81010%17%
43Industrial machinery mechanics34053,610$37,830 - 65,0009%5%
44Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists33021,620$14,360 - 31,34012%6%
45Driver/sales workers32020,720$13,240 - 35,240-4%4%
46Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators32042,360$31,030 - 60,4608%3%
47Food preparation workers31019,020$13,690 - 25,00015%7%
48Dishwashers31016,910$13,130 - 22,34010%3%
49Construction laborers30029,470$17,840 - 46,33011%5%
50First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers30055,190$30,790 - 80,4107%13%
51Industrial production managers290106,770$60,250 - -5%43%
52Bartenders29018,080$13,330 - 21,37011%17%
53Bus drivers, school29024,600$15,170 - 36,5509%4%
54Medical assistants28026,760$20,740 - 33,49035%10%
55Helpers--production workers28020,960$16,310 - 27,7500%4%
56Packers and packagers, hand28016,030$12,830 - 22,980-11%3%
57Police and sheriff's patrol officers28045,100$30,200 - 58,92011%33%
58Computer support specialists28037,050$19,540 - 54,21013%43%
59Assemblers and fabricators, all other28029,880$17,480 - 50,370-8%5%
60Physicians and surgeons, all other270213,360$155,220 - 0%0%
61Security guards24026,830$13,840 - 42,98017%13%
62Insurance claims and policy processing clerks24033,470$26,370 - 42,9000%22%
63Pharmacy technicians23026,650$18,520 - 33,16032%16%
64Medical secretaries22026,360$18,300 - 34,81017%18%
65Billing and posting clerks and machine operators22029,420$22,310 - 38,1404%15%
66First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers21055,570$37,700 - 77,6909%10%
67Postal service mail carriers210 1%11%
68Dental assistants19025,840$18,770 - 32,22029%9%
69Taxi drivers and chauffeurs19018,380$13,890 - 20,96013%15%
70Bill and account collectors19025,870$20,950 - 32,37023%13%
71Agricultural and food science technicians17032,280$18,590 - 49,9007%32%
72Emergency medical technicians and paramedics17031,590$22,570 - 41,61019%14%
73Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders16029,280$20,540 - 40,380-4%5%
74Cleaners of vehicles and equipment16019,070$13,590 - 27,77014%3%
75Recreation workers16017,980$13,230 - 24,93013%47%
76Sales representatives, services, all other15052,050$23,710 - 82,64028%48%
77Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers15017,030$13,150 - 20,88012%6%
78Radiologic technologists and technicians15056,610$39,560 - 78,16015%25%
79Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products15055,860$35,140 - 84,8500%42%
80Amusement and recreation attendants15016,430$12,800 - 22,64024%22%
81Industrial engineering technicians14053,350$36,560 - 66,72010%18%
82Cost estimators14058,080$38,290 - 83,77019%32%
83First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers14027,740$17,710 - 45,49013%11%
84Surgical technologists13037,800$28,650 - 48,94025%16%
85Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks13019,350$15,020 - 24,84017%14%
86Cement masons and concrete finishers13034,190$22,330 - 52,79011%2%
87Home health aides13020,850$17,120 - 24,94049%7%
88Interviewers, except eligibility and loan12026,430$18,380 - 32,52010%24%
89Cooks, short order12018,380$14,420 - 21,7205%5%
90First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators12058,570$28,220 - 90,13010%17%
91Legal secretaries12033,220$26,630 - 40,77012%18%
92Correctional officers and jailers12029,900$22,990 - 38,35017%11%
93Highway maintenance workers12027,330$21,060 - 33,5709%5%
94Insurance sales agents120 13%45%
95Medical records and health information technicians12030,670$20,690 - 44,40018%12%
96Food service managers12053,340$35,180 - 82,3205%24%
97Preschool teachers, except special education11023,050$15,140 - 32,13026%43%
98Business operations specialists, all other11057,040$35,120 - 86,52021%49%
99Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators110 -7%12%
100Order clerks11027,750$18,610 - 42,110-23%16%
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Lafayette colleges and trade schools.
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Lafayette property, mortgage, and real estate.

Jobs More Common Near Lafayette Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Agricultural and food science technicians32,28017042.2
Team assemblers39,3704,8609.4
Industrial engineering technicians53,3501404.4
Industrial production managers106,7702903.8
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers23,7701103.3
Chemists65,8601403.2
Chemical technicians33,4401003.2
Mechanical engineers60,5103703.2
Surgical technologists37,8001302.9
Coaches and scouts32,6702302.7
Highway maintenance workers27,3301202.6
Industrial machinery mechanics53,6103402.6
Cooks, institution and cafeteria21,8904202.5
Maintenance and repair workers, general33,9701,5202.3
Cooks, fast food16,0306002.2
Taxi drivers and chauffeurs18,3801902.2
Assemblers and fabricators, all other29,8802802.2
Community and social service specialists, all other29,6401102.1
Counter and rental clerks19,0904902.1
Physicians and surgeons, all other213,3602702
Insurance claims and policy processing clerks33,4702401.9
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics31,5901701.9
Industrial engineers69,0502001.9
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers54,7805901.9
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop15,9703401.8
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators42,3603201.8
Industrial truck and tractor operators31,1205301.7
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists21,6203301.7
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food15,7002,3801.7
Driver/sales workers20,7203201.7
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer36,6501,3501.7
Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines39,3701001.7
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers35,1703701.6
Network and computer systems administrators56,2403001.6
Personal and home care aides19,1503701.6
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners20,7301,7701.6
Cooks, short order18,3801201.6
Nonfarm animal caretakers17,2701001.5
Electricians50,8104901.5
First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers27,7401401.5
Engineering managers98,2801401.4
Waiters and waitresses17,6201,7601.4
Radiologic technologists and technicians56,6101501.4
Bus drivers, school24,6002901.4
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive28,4901,3501.4
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers32,4205801.4
Medical records and health information technicians30,6701201.4
Pharmacy technicians26,6502301.4
Mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service20,7601001.4
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants23,1209601.4

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Lafayette, Indiana Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Team assemblers39,3701.444,860
Industrial production managers106,7701.21290
Industrial machinery mechanics53,6101.2340
Physicians and surgeons, all other213,3601.2270
Customer service representatives34,8301.17710
Assemblers and fabricators, all other29,8801.13280
First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators58,5701.13120
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders29,2801.12160
Radiologic technologists and technicians56,6101.11150
Industrial engineering technicians53,3501.1140
Food service managers53,3401.1120
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products61,7301.09590
Electricians50,8101.08490
Graphic designers43,2701.07140
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers23,7701.07110
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers32,4201.07580
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers74,3101.06110
Security guards26,8301.06240
Training and development specialists53,5301.06140
Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products55,8601.05150
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers35,1701.05370
Chief executives156,6301.04140
Medical and health services managers87,8501.04140
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers25,1601.04440
General and operations managers100,0001.04600
Cost estimators58,0801.04140
Industrial truck and tractor operators31,1201.04530
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers54,7801.04590
First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers46,3101.03730
Maids and housekeeping cleaners19,6001.02530
Insurance claims and policy processing clerks33,4701.01240
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education51,6001.01470
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics31,5901.01170
Sales representatives, services, all other52,0501150
Chemists65,8601140
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks19,3500.99130
Public relations specialists50,1300.99170
Truck drivers, light or delivery services28,7500.99600
Elementary school teachers, except special education49,4100.99660
Food preparation workers19,0200.99310
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators42,3600.99320
Maintenance and repair workers, general33,9700.991,520
Order clerks27,7500.99110
Financial managers91,5200.99130
Dishwashers16,9100.98310
Home health aides20,8500.98130
Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education49,3300.98370
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers17,0300.98150
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive28,4900.981,350
Accountants and auditors58,3900.98390

Highest Paying Jobs in Lafayette, Indiana Metro Area (2008 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Physicians and surgeons, all other213,360270
Dentists, general176,030 
Family and general practitioners166,770 
Chief executives156,630140
Industrial production managers106,770290
General and operations managers100,000600
Engineering managers98,280140
Human resources managers, all other97,85040
Pharmacists97,240150
Financial managers91,520130
Sales managers90,830130
Management analysts90,02040
Lawyers88,200150
Medical and health services managers87,850140
Purchasing managers86,63040
Computer and information systems managers86,000170
Natural sciences managers85,55070
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school85,31080
Construction managers85,10040
Legislators80,80040
Marketing managers79,77040
Administrative services managers77,93080
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers74,310110
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents74,07070
Dental hygienists73,42080
Mechanical engineering technicians70,87050
Veterinarians70,22060
Computer software engineers, systems software69,46080
Industrial engineers69,050200
Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists67,71030
Chemists65,860140
Database administrators63,61090
Computer systems analysts61,950130
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products61,730590
Insurance underwriters61,490 
Physical therapists61,030110
Computer software engineers, applications61,030100
Mechanical engineers60,510370
Librarians60,39080
Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists60,19050
Managers, all other59,86090
Budget analysts59,74060
First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators58,570120
Accountants and auditors58,390390
Mental health counselors58,33030
Cost estimators58,080140
Civil engineers57,43050
Business operations specialists, all other57,040110
Radiologic technologists and technicians56,610150
Computer programmers56,530300

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