Sheet Metal Worker in Indiana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Indiana employs 4,580 sheet metal workers, with a statewide median of $64,040 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Indiana licensing picture, and where to train.
What Sheet metal workers Earn in Indiana (May 2025)
- Indiana median pay
- $64,040 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $42,620
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $91,130
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $104,080
- Employed in Indiana
- 4,580
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $60,750 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for sheet metal workers in major Indiana markets:
- South Bend
- $81,270 (120 employed)
- Terre Haute
- $75,800 (80 employed)
- Evansville
- $74,120 (120 employed)
- Indianapolis
- $65,840 (1,480 employed)
- Fort Wayne
- $61,430
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 $64,040 median stretches to roughly $68,639 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Indiana (2024–2034)
Indiana is projected to grow sheet metal workers employment +4.1%, faster than the +2.4% projected nationally. The state expects about 320 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Indiana License and Certification Requirements
SMART Journeyman Sheet Metal Worker credential (no state license) — regulated by the No Indiana state license required for sheet metal workers.
- Indiana does not require a state license for sheet metal workers. The primary path is a SMART/SMACNA Joint Apprenticeship: 5 years, approximately 10,000 OJT hours covering HVAC duct fabrication, architectural sheet metal, and welding.
- Apprenticeship includes OSHA 30 and rigging certifications. Commercial HVAC duct work is the dominant application.
- Apply through SMART Local 20 (Indianapolis) or SMART Local 91 (Evansville) for apprenticeship. Commercial HVAC contractors, mechanical contractors, and architectural metal fabricators are the main employers.
Official requirements: No Indiana state license required for sheet metal workers →
Training in Indiana
Indianapolis's commercial construction boom — driven by new corporate campuses, data centers, hospital expansions, and suburban office parks — creates consistent HVAC duct work demand for sheet metal workers. SMART Local 20 covers central Indiana's growing construction market. The RV manufacturing industry in Elkhart County also uses sheet metal workers for vehicle body fabrication.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Indiana include:
- Ivy Tech Community College — Certificate / Associate
- Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis — Certificate
- Vincennes University — Certificate / Associate
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who like precision fabrication work and are comfortable with rooftops, ladders, and construction sites.
Think twice if: Sharp metal edges, heights, loud fabrication shops, and seasonal outdoor work sound unappealing.
Why it's resilient: Sheet metal workers fabricate and install ductwork, roofing, and building components — skilled licensed work requiring physical presence on every job.
First Steps
Look for SMART (International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers) apprenticeship openings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sheet metal workers make in Indiana?
The median wage for sheet metal workers in Indiana is $64,040 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $42,620, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $104,080. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Sheet Metal Worker in Indiana?
SMART Journeyman Sheet Metal Worker credential (no state license), overseen by the No Indiana state license required for sheet metal workers. Indiana does not require a state license for sheet metal workers. The primary path is a SMART/SMACNA Joint Apprenticeship: 5 years, approximately 10,000 OJT hours covering HVAC duct fabrication, architectural sheet metal, and welding.
Is being a Sheet Metal Worker a good career in Indiana?
Sheet metal workers fabricate and install ductwork, roofing, and building components — skilled licensed work requiring physical presence on every job.
Which Indiana metros pay sheet metal workers the most?
Among Indiana metro areas, South Bend leads at $81,270, followed by Terre Haute ($75,800), Evansville ($74,120). 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 Sheet Metal Worker in Indiana?
Real Indiana options include Ivy Tech Community College, Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis, Vincennes University. Most sheet metal workers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Sheet Metal Worker a growing career in Indiana?
Indiana projects sheet metal workers employment to change +4.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 320 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 47-2211. Licensing summary compiled from the No Indiana state license required for sheet metal workers (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.