US
Lafayette, IN
Indiana salary market
$96.4K
Avg / Year
+14% vs U.S.
vs National
50
Employment
$8.0K
Monthly Avg
Updated for 2026

Agricultural Engineer Salary in Lafayette, IN (2026)

The Agricultural Engineer salary in Lafayette, IN for 2026 is presented as a modeled salary benchmark built from the latest official BLS wage baseline, then extended with wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available. This guide compares the Lafayette, IN market with the U.S. baseline and breaks projected pay down by experience, skills, industry, and nearby markets.

Official BLS baseline: 2024Lafayette, IN city pageModeled salary guide10 min read
City Average
$96.4K
per year
Entry Level
$60.1K
starting range
Senior Level
$118K
upper local band
Remote / Hybrid
$98.3K
modeled local premium
Monthly
$8.0K
avg before tax
Hourly Rate
$41
median equivalent
Salary figures projected to 2026  from May 2024BLS OEWS baseline  ·  Projections use wage history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available
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Agricultural Engineer Salary Overview in Lafayette, IN

Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Agricultural Engineer pay in Lafayette, IN at about $96,352.0 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $53,290.0, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about $135,640.

Salary estimates are based on data from the Lafayette-West Lafayette, In metropolitan area, which includes nearby cities such as West Lafayette.

If you’re comparing Agricultural Engineer salaries in Lafayette, IN, the real story isn’t just the headline number. Local employer mix, seniority, specialization, and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or onsite can push compensation well above or below the local median.

Lafayette, IN vs. U.S. National Average

Lafayette, IN pays +14% vs u.s. for Agricultural Engineer roles. The difference is driven by local employer demand, industry mix, cost pressures, and how concentrated this role is in the underlying metro labor market.

United States National Average
$84.6K
all U.S. markets combined
+14%
Lafayette, IN Premium
Lafayette, IN City Average
$96.4K
Agricultural Engineer
MarketProjected Salaryvs Lafayette, INMarket Maturity
Lafayette, IN (this guide)$96,352.0BaselineLocal market
United States$84,630.0-12% vs U.S.National baseline
Why Lafayette, IN pay differsThe strongest city salary premiums usually appear where employers compete for specialized talent, where the role is concentrated, and where local costs make compensation harder to hold down.

Agricultural Engineer Salary by Experience Level in Lafayette, IN

Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In Lafayette, IN, this breakdown shows how aAgricultural Engineer can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.

Entry-Level
0-2 years
$76.8K
$46/hr median equivalent
$60.1K - $96.4K
Mid-Level
3-5 years
$96.4K
$46/hr median equivalent
$76.8K - $118K
Senior
6-10 years
$118K
$46/hr median equivalent
$96.4K - $153K
Lead / Principal
10+ years
$153K
$46/hr median equivalent
$118K - $187K
LevelExperienceProjected SalaryProjected RangeMarket Signal
Entry-Level Agricultural Engineer0-2 years$76,847.0$60,117.0 - $96,352.0-9% vs U.S.
Mid-Level Agricultural Engineer3-5 years$96,352.0$76,847.0 - $117,696+14% vs U.S.
Senior Agricultural Engineer6-10 years$117,696$96,352.0 - $153,017+39% vs U.S.
Lead / Principal Agricultural Engineer10+ years$153,017$117,696 - $186,681+81% vs U.S.

Agricultural Engineer Salary by Industry in Lafayette, IN

Industry premiums in Lafayette, IN usually come from employers that place the Agricultural Engineer role close to revenue, infrastructure, compliance, product delivery, or other high-value work. National industry data gives the best available benchmark until local industry slices are available.

IndustryModeled SalaryReference RangeSignal
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$101,570$66,730.0 - $150,700Stronger salary
Manufacturing$99,350.0$66,060.0 - $164,120Stronger salary
Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$96,700.0$66,230.0 - $137,740Stronger salary
Educational Services$84,630.0$53,290.0 - $136,250Competitive
Wholesale Trade$75,820.0$59,110.0 - $85,990.0Competitive
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting$75,760.0$72,430.0 - $116,240Competitive

Entry-Level Agricultural Engineer Salary in Lafayette, IN

Entry-level Agricultural Engineer jobs in Lafayette, IN are modeled around the lower local wage percentiles. Candidates who can show practical projects, job-ready tools, and strong fundamentals usually have a better path into the middle of the local salary range.

For a broader starting-pay benchmark beyond this city market, see the entry-level Agricultural Engineer salary guide.

Entry estimateA reasonable entry-level salary benchmark for Agricultural Engineer roles in Lafayette, IN is about $76,847.0.
Preparation pathJob Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Typical education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. Training signal: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Remote vs Onsite Agricultural Engineer Pay in Lafayette, IN

Remote work can widen the employer pool for Agricultural Engineer candidates in Lafayette, IN. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.

Local Onsite Role
$96,352.0
avg local employer
Hybrid Role
$98,279.0
modeled local premium
+2% local avg
Work TypeEstimated SalaryExperienceBest FitFlexibility
Remote$94,425.0Market dependentNational hiring poolsHigh
Hybrid$98,279.0Metro dependentLafayette, IN employersMedium
Onsite$96,352.0Location dependentLocal teams and operationsLower

Cost of Living vs Salary in Lafayette, IN

A salary in Lafayette, IN should be read alongside housing, commuting, tax, and everyday costs. The same annual pay can feel very different at entry, mid-level, and senior levels.

Monthly Expense
Entry
Mid
Senior
Housing / rent
$1.3K
$1.8K
$2.2K
Transport / commute
$281.0
$321.2
$361.3
Food and groceries
$602.2
$642.3
$722.6
Utilities and internet
$281.0
$321.2
$361.3
Estimated remainder
$2.7K
$4.2K
$5.1K
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Top Employers Hiring Agricultural Engineers in Lafayette, IN

Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where Agricultural Engineer pay tends to be strongest in Lafayette, IN, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.

1
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service employers
$102K
Industry benchmark for Agricultural Engineer roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
2
Manufacturing employers
$99.4K
Industry benchmark for Agricultural Engineer roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
3
Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service employers
$96.7K
Industry benchmark for Agricultural Engineer roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
4
Educational Services employers
$84.6K
Industry benchmark for Agricultural Engineer roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
5
Wholesale Trade employers
$75.8K
Industry benchmark for Agricultural Engineer roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
6
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting employers
$75.8K
Industry benchmark for Agricultural Engineer roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.

Career Growth Opportunities in Lafayette, IN

Local career growth is strongest when it is read through both the city salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The city salary benchmark shows what this market currently pays, while the career path and BLS demand data show how that benchmark can expand with scope and responsibility.

1
Intern / Trainee
$49.1K - $66.0K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
2
Junior
$60.9K - $80.4K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
3
Mid Level
$76.2K - $94.8K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
4
Senior
$91.4K - $119K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
5
Lead
$108K - $137K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
6
Principal / Architect
$127K - $174K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
BLS Demand SignalEmployment is projected to change by 5.9% from 2024 to 2034.
Faster than averageAnnual openings: 0.1 thousand.
Metric2026 Outlook
Projected employment1.7k → 1.8k
Typical educationMost of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related experienceA considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Local market anchor50 jobs with a median of $96,352.0

Factors Affecting Agricultural Engineer Salary in Lafayette, IN

Local pay rarely moves for one reason alone. In city markets, the biggest differences usually come from employer concentration, industry mix, seniority, and whether the role is tied to business-critical work that is harder to staff.

Years of Experience
Salary usually rises as the role moves from entry-level execution to independent ownership, mentoring, and broader decision-making.
Location and Cost of Living
Local salary ranges vary by labor market, employer density, and household-income context.
Industry
Industry pay can vary when employers in higher-margin or harder-to-staff sectors compete for the same occupation.
Specialized Skills
O*NET marks high-demand role-specific skills as relevant skills for this role, making them useful anchors for specialization and salary-growth content.

How to Increase Your Agricultural Engineer Salary in Lafayette, IN

In city markets, salary growth often comes from better positioning as much as from patience. These moves are most useful when you already understand the local benchmark and want a clearer path beyond it.

1
Benchmark against stronger markets
Compare national, metro, and industry salary facts before negotiating so your target range is grounded in current wage data.
1-3 months timeline
2
Build a visible specialization
Prioritize skills such as high-demand role-specific skills; O*NET relevance scores make these good first candidates for portfolio and resume positioning.
3-9 months timeline
3
Target higher-paying industries
Use industry salary facts to identify sectors that already pay above the occupation baseline.
2-6 months timeline
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Agricultural Engineer Salary in Lafayette, IN: FAQs

These questions usually come up after readers compare the city benchmark, the statewide picture, and the local experience ladder. They help clarify how to read the market and what matters most when you compare this city with other options.

These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Agricultural Engineer" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.

What is the average Agricultural Engineer in Lafayette, INs salary?
The latest national baseline for Agricultural Engineers is about $84,600 per year, based on the current BLS-derived salary facts in CareerClev.
What is the entry-level Agricultural Engineer in Lafayette, INs salary?
Entry-level estimates for Agricultural Engineers are modeled around the lower BLS percentile range, currently about $43,000 per year nationally.
How much can senior Agricultural Engineer in Lafayette, INs professionals earn?
Senior Agricultural Engineers estimates are modeled from upper percentile wage bands and currently sit around $103,900 per year nationally.
Does location affect Agricultural Engineer in Lafayette, INs salary?
Yes. CareerClev stores salary facts by national, state, and metro locations, so location-specific pages should use the closest available geography instead of a single national number.
Which skills matter for Agricultural Engineer in Lafayette, INs salary growth?
CareerClev uses O*NET skill importance and level scores to identify role-relevant skills. These are useful for recommendations, but should not be presented as measured salary premiums unless enriched compensation data exists.
Data
Data Sources & MethodologyUpdated using 2024 BLS OEWS salary facts, O*NET occupation-skill data, Census location context where available, ILOSTAT country benchmarks where mapped, BLS Employment Projections where imported, and Stack Overflow Developer Survey enrichment for mapped tech roles.
Salary figures use BLS OEWS wage facts for 2024. City pages use the BLS metropolitan area as the salary dataset, display the largest city as the public page name, and model experience bands from local wage percentiles.
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