What this means Our calculation
4 of 26 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is building inspectors at $83,780. Prices run 13% below the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth more than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is lower than most metros (3.7%) and the population is growing at a typical pace (+3.8% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Lafayette Government data
All 26 trades
Vs. U.S. compares with the typical metro for that trade. Jobs are employment estimates, not open positions. Click a column to sort.
| Trade | Median pay | Vs. U.S. | Real pay | Jobs | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building Inspector | $83,780 | +24% | $96,068 | 100 | #40 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $78,580 | +26% | $90,105 | 240 | #27 |
| Construction Supervisor | $71,980 | -7% | $82,537 | 1,230 | #298 |
| Electrical Lineworker | $67,250 | -31% | $77,114 | 190 | #251 |
| Machinist | $59,830 | +5% | $68,605 | 980 | #107 |
| Electrician | $59,820 | -4% | $68,594 | 730 | #247 |
| Plumber | $57,930 | -6% | $66,427 | 680 | #269 |
| Welder | $57,750 | +10% | $66,220 | 1,860 | #100 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $55,290 | -13% | $63,399 | 750 | #368 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $55,290 | -8% | $63,399 | 270 | #317 |
| Concrete Finisher | $53,890 | -6% | $61,794 | 90 | #185 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $52,090 | -15% | $59,730 | 100 | #189 |
| HVAC Technician | $51,970 | -13% | $59,592 | 450 | #304 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $49,800 | -17% | $57,104 | 370 | #282 |
| Roofer | $47,890 | -4% | $54,914 | 80 | #180 |
| Carpenter | $47,440 | -16% | $54,398 | 580 | #332 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $47,080 | -9% | $53,985 | 190 | #310 |
| Auto Mechanic | $45,920 | -6% | $52,655 | 810 | #327 |
| Insulation Installer | $44,080 | -9% | $50,545 | 100 | #94 |
| Painter | $43,470 | -9% | $49,846 | 290 | #293 |
| Maintenance Technician | $40,930 | -15% | $46,933 | 2,100 | #358 |
| Tile Setter | $40,580 | -20% | $46,532 | 30 | #117 |
| Pest Control Technician | $39,150 | -12% | $44,892 | 210 | #169 |
| Construction Laborer | $38,620 | -18% | $44,284 | 1,780 | #324 |
| Rigger | $36,880 | -39% | $42,289 | 270 | #70 |
| Landscaper | $30,530 | -19% | $35,008 | 730 | #376 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Lafayette
The Lafayette area has about 191,970 homes. 40% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is newer than most; 19% were built in 2010 or later. 68% of households own their home, and the median home value is $222,100.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Lafayette Government data
In an average year, Lafayette has 91 days at 90°F or hotter (more than most metros; typical metro 33), including 1 at 100°F or more, 11 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 77 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more. Summer afternoons average 91°F and winter nights 45°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Lafayette Rgnl Airport, LA station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
3.7% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Lafayette area's population grew 3.8% from 2020 to 2025 (408,235 → 423,758), ranking #136 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +10,023) account for most of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Lafayette are down 32% from 2021 to 2025 (3,044 → 2,063). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Lafayette area is 27 minutes each way, longer than the typical metro (24 min). 15% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 81% drive alone, 1% take transit and 9% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in Louisiana Official source
The main state licensing office in Louisiana is the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official Louisiana licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 4.4% of wage and salary workers in Louisiana were union members, below the U.S. rate of about 10% (#43 of 51 states and D.C.), and 5.5% were covered by a union contract. These figures cover all jobs in the state, not only the trades.
BLS Union Members, 2025 (Current Population Survey), table 5.
Nearby metros
Compare any trade in two cities with city vs. city, or see every metro in Louisiana.