Plumber in Indiana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Indiana employs 11,280 plumbers, with a statewide median of $76,320 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Indiana licensing picture, and where to train.
What Plumbers Earn in Indiana (May 2025)
- Indiana median pay
- $76,320 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $46,890
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $96,760
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $102,520
- Employed in Indiana
- 11,280
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,970 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for plumbers in major Indiana markets:
- Terre Haute
- $90,250 (420 employed)
- Fort Wayne
- $77,110 (1,160 employed)
- Indianapolis
- $76,980 (4,010 employed)
- South Bend
- $74,190 (490 employed)
- Evansville
- $73,190 (560 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 $76,320 median stretches to roughly $81,801 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Indiana (2024–2034)
Indiana is projected to grow plumbers employment +5.3%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,100 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Indiana License and Certification Requirements
Journeyman Plumber License — regulated by the Indiana Plumbing Commission — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA).
- Register as an Apprentice Plumber with the Indiana Plumbing Commission (IPLA) and complete a state-approved apprenticeship: minimum 4 years, 7,600 hours of OJT plus 576 hours of classroom instruction. Indiana has strict rules — overtime hours do not count toward the 7,600-hour minimum.
- Apply for the Journeyman Plumber exam through IPLA after completing your apprenticeship. Pass the written exam on Indiana plumbing code and national standards.
- Apply to IPLA for your Journeyman Plumber license. Renew every two years — Indiana requires no continuing education for renewal (unusual). UA Local 440 (Indianapolis) and UA Local 157 (Fort Wayne) run the primary plumber apprenticeship programs.
Official requirements: Indiana Plumbing Commission — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) →
Training in Indiana
Indiana's rigorous 7,600-hour plumbing apprenticeship — with no exceptions for overtime — produces well-trained plumbers. Indianapolis's construction boom, suburban growth in Hamilton County, and industrial plumbing needs (pharmaceutical plants, data centers) create consistent journeyman demand. Indiana plumbers do not need CE to renew, making license maintenance simpler than most states.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Indiana include:
- Ivy Tech Community College — Certificate / Associate
- Vincennes University — Associate
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who want durable demand and do not mind dirty, physical work.
Think twice if: You need clean environments, predictable hours, or low physical strain.
Why it's resilient: Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.
First Steps
Search state plumbing apprenticeship requirements and local union/non-union programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Indiana?
The median wage for plumbers in Indiana is $76,320 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $46,890, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $102,520. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Plumber in Indiana?
Journeyman Plumber License, overseen by the Indiana Plumbing Commission — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA). Register as an Apprentice Plumber with the Indiana Plumbing Commission (IPLA) and complete a state-approved apprenticeship: minimum 4 years, 7,600 hours of OJT plus 576 hours of classroom instruction. Indiana has strict rules — overtime hours do not count toward the 7,600-hour minimum.
Is being a Plumber a good career in Indiana?
Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.
Which Indiana metros pay plumbers the most?
Among Indiana metro areas, Terre Haute leads at $90,250, followed by Fort Wayne ($77,110), Indianapolis ($76,980). 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 a Plumber in Indiana?
Real Indiana options include Ivy Tech Community College, Vincennes University. Most plumbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Plumber a growing career in Indiana?
Indiana projects plumbers employment to change +5.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,100 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 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the Indiana Plumbing Commission — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) (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.