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Electrician in Indiana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

Indiana employs 19,020 electricians, with a statewide median of $68,490 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Indiana licensing picture, and where to train.

What Electricians Earn in Indiana (May 2025)

Indiana median pay: $68,490 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $43,190
Experienced (75th percentile): $91,290
Top earners (90th percentile): $99,310
Employed in Indiana: 19,020
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,350 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for electricians in major Indiana markets:

Evansville: $79,240 (1,170 employed)
Terre Haute: $77,650 (380 employed)
South Bend: $74,150 (750 employed)
Fort Wayne: $71,290 (1,260 employed)
Indianapolis: $65,130 (5,390 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Indiana

Prices in Indiana run about 7% below the national average (cost-of-living index 93.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $68,490 median stretches to roughly $73,408 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Indiana (2024–2034)

Indiana is projected to grow electricians employment +9.8%, about in line with the +9.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,800 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Indiana License and Certification Requirements

Journeyman Electrician license (state) — many municipalities also require local license — regulated by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) / Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) — and local jurisdictions.

Indiana has a state journeyman electrician license administered through IDHS and IPLA. The state exam is NEC-based, multiple choice, open book (70% passing score). Many Indiana cities — including Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, and South Bend — require a local journeyman license in addition to or instead of the state license; check your local building department.
The typical path is an IBEW Joint Apprenticeship: 4–5 years / 8,000 OJT hours + approved classroom hours (IBEW Local 481 in Indianapolis, Local 305 in Gary, Local 538 in Fort Wayne). After completing apprenticeship, sit for the state journeyman exam through PSI.
For Indianapolis specifically, contact the City of Indianapolis Building Services Division for local license requirements — Indianapolis issues its own electrical examination through PSI. State and local licensing requirements can stack.

Official requirements: Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) / Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) — and local jurisdictions →

Training in Indiana

Indianapolis is Indiana's dominant electrical market — IBEW Local 481 (Indianapolis) runs the major apprenticeship program for central Indiana. Indiana's automotive manufacturing boom (Stellantis, Eli Lilly campus expansions, Amazon fulfillment centers) creates strong industrial electrician demand across the state. Indiana's right-to-work status means non-union shops also hire significantly.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Indiana include:

Ivy Tech Community College — Certificate / Associate
Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis — Certificate / Associate
Vincennes University — Associate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like tools, systems, problem solving, and earning while they train.

Think twice if: You need desk-only work or dislike tight spaces, heights, job sites, and physical risk.

Why it's resilient: Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.

First Steps

Look for IBEW, IEC, ABC, or state apprenticeship openings near you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do electricians make in Indiana?

The median wage for electricians in Indiana is $68,490 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $43,190, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $99,310. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become an Electrician in Indiana?

Journeyman Electrician license (state) — many municipalities also require local license, overseen by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) / Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) — and local jurisdictions. Indiana has a state journeyman electrician license administered through IDHS and IPLA. The state exam is NEC-based, multiple choice, open book (70% passing score). Many Indiana cities — including Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, and South Bend — require a local journeyman license in addition to or instead of the state license; check your local building department.

Is being an Electrician a good career in Indiana?

Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.

Which Indiana metros pay electricians the most?

Among Indiana metro areas, Evansville leads at $79,240, followed by Terre Haute ($77,650), South Bend ($74,150). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become an Electrician in Indiana?

Real Indiana options include Ivy Tech Community College, Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis, Vincennes University. Most electricians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Electrician a growing career in Indiana?

Indiana projects electricians employment to change +9.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,800 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Indiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2111. Licensing summary compiled from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) / Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) — and local jurisdictions (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Indiana wages · Indiana licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.