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

Skilled trades

Indiana employs 13,280 welders, with a statewide median of $49,730 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Indiana licensing picture, and where to train.

What Welders Earn in Indiana (May 2025)

Indiana median pay: $49,730 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $38,410
Experienced (75th percentile): $60,710
Top earners (90th percentile): $74,880
Employed in Indiana: 13,280
U.S. median (for comparison): $49,990 (May 2024)

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

Indianapolis: $51,070 (2,790 employed)
Evansville: $50,960 (350 employed)
Fort Wayne: $49,300 (890 employed)
South Bend: $47,670 (360 employed)
Terre Haute: $46,090 (350 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 $49,730 median stretches to roughly $53,301 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Indiana (2024–2034)

Indiana is projected to grow welders employment +2.3%, about in line with the +2.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,380 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Indiana License and Certification Requirements

None required — AWS CW certifications and employer/project weld qualifications — regulated by the No Indiana state license required for welders.

Indiana does not require a state license for welders. Complete a welding technology program at Ivy Tech Community College, Vincennes University, or vocational high school programs across the state.
Pass employer and project weld tests (AWS D1.1 structural, ASME for pressure vessels, D9.1 for sheet metal). AWS Certified Welder (CW) is the portable individual credential.
Apply to structural steel fabricators, automotive manufacturers and their supply chains, RV manufacturers in Elkhart County, steel mills in northwest Indiana, and pharmaceutical and food processing facilities.

Official requirements: No Indiana state license required for welders →

Training in Indiana

Indiana's manufacturing-heavy economy creates one of the strongest welder job markets in the Midwest. Steel mill welding in northwest Indiana, automotive body and frame welding in central Indiana, and RV manufacturing in Elkhart County are the three major welder demand centers. Pharmaceutical stainless TIG welding (Eli Lilly, Roche) offers premium wages for certified pipe and vessel welders.

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 focused, precise, independent work and want to enter a trade without a multi-year apprenticeship commitment.

Think twice if: Heat, fumes, UV exposure, protective gear all day, and physically demanding positions sound like dealbreakers.

Why it's resilient: Custom, field, and structural welding requires hands-on skill, real-world access, and quality judgment that automated welding cannot fully replicate.

First Steps

Enroll in a welding certificate program at a community college or trade school — programs range from 6 months to 2 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do welders make in Indiana?

The median wage for welders in Indiana is $49,730 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $38,410, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $74,880. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Welder in Indiana?

None required — AWS CW certifications and employer/project weld qualifications, overseen by the No Indiana state license required for welders. Indiana does not require a state license for welders. Complete a welding technology program at Ivy Tech Community College, Vincennes University, or vocational high school programs across the state.

Is being a Welder a good career in Indiana?

Custom, field, and structural welding requires hands-on skill, real-world access, and quality judgment that automated welding cannot fully replicate.

Which Indiana metros pay welders the most?

Among Indiana metro areas, Indianapolis leads at $51,070, followed by Evansville ($50,960), Fort Wayne ($49,300). 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 Welder in Indiana?

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

Is Welder a growing career in Indiana?

Indiana projects welders employment to change +2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,380 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 51-4121. Licensing summary compiled from the No Indiana state license required for welders (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.