Agricultural Equipment Operators Salary in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
The median pay for a agricultural equipment operators in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN is $51,200/year ($24.62/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $42K at the entry level to $60K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.43), which stretches that salary to about $54,800 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,242/month — about 36.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $51K get you in Lafayette-West Lafayette?
About agricultural equipment operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
Entry-level agricultural equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $42K. Mid-career wages sit at $51K.Top earners bring in $60K or more - a $18K spread from bottom to top.
Agricultural Equipment Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | $54K | +27% | 80 |
| New York | $51K | +20% | 130 |
| Delaware | $50K | +18% | 60 |
| Ohio | $49K | +15% | 970 |
| Indiana | $49K | +15% | 830 |
| Iowa | $49K | +14% | 1,710 |
| Minnesota | $48K | +14% | 780 |
| North Dakota | $48K | +12% | 300 |
| Wisconsin | $48K | +12% | 670 |
| Maine | $48K | +12% | 40 |
| Illinois | $47K | +10% | 2,310 |
| New Jersey | $47K | +10% | N/A |
| Missouri | $47K | +9% | 1,080 |
| South Dakota | $46K | +8% | 230 |
| Virginia | $46K | +7% | 200 |
Track agricultural equipment operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Lafayette-West Lafayette numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do agricultural equipment operators make in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The median is $51,200 a year - that works out to about $24.62 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $42,230, and experienced agricultural equipment operators can clear $60,150. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $51K enough to live in Lafayette-West Lafayette?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,468/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,242/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 35.8% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a agricultural equipment operators salary go in Lafayette-West Lafayette?
Lafayette-West Lafayette has a Regional Price Parity of 93.43 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median agricultural equipment operators salary is worth about $54,800 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do agricultural equipment operators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.