How to Become a Pipefitter in Indiana (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Indiana employs about 11,280 pipefitters earning a median $76,320 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most pipefitters train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Indiana.

Compare Pipefitter Schools in Indiana

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
158.9Contact school for pricing$44,75474%—178 mi
256.1Contact school for pricing$52,68128%Yes*171 mi
356.0$4,956 - $16,242$54,14249%Yes*176 mi
455.7Contact school for pricing$47,99053%Yes*126 mi
555.4Contact school for pricing$44,85452%Yes*189 mi
654.9Contact school for pricing$52,701Not reportedYes*137 mi
753.9Contact school for pricing$54,46614%Yes*204 mi
852.5Contact school for pricing$42,97054%Yes*175 mi
949.9Contact school for pricing$55,40133%Yes*156 mi
1049.7$4,808 - $14,457$50,10633%Yes*149 mi

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Indiana employs approximately 11,280 pipefitters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $76,320 1. Nationally, pipefitter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 44,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Pipefitter in Indiana, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Median wage (Indiana): $76,320 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Pipefitter in Indiana

How to become a Pipefitter in Indiana? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for pipefitters in Indiana.

How long does it take? Most paths into the pipefitter field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do pipefitters earn in Indiana? The median annual wage for pipefitters in Indiana is $76,320 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $46,890 and experienced professionals can earn $102,520 or more 1.

How to Become a Pipefitter in Indiana

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Indiana training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Indiana that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor as part of a registered apprenticeship or employer program in Indiana.
  4. Earn your journey card or employer qualification. Complete the registered apprenticeship or approved program, earn the journey card or employer qualification used in Indiana, and confirm contractor versus worker rules with the state before working unsupervised.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Pipefitter Apprenticeship Information in Indiana

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Ivy Technical College
  • Address: 50 West Fall Creek Pkwy., Indianapolis, IN 46208
  • Phone: (888) 489-5463
  • Email: [email protected]

Pipefitter Wages by Metro Area in Indiana

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Indiana

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Indiana vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin12,750$103,380$96,430$53,960$127,200
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood4,010$76,980$76,260$46,740$102,370
Cincinnati3,640$65,160$70,570$46,830$101,800
Louisville/Jefferson County2,780$74,680$71,560$48,250$94,920
Fort Wayne1,160$77,110$78,260$47,850$102,520
Evansville560$73,190$71,940$45,660$98,430
South Bend-Mishawaka490$74,190$74,000$46,420$99,060
Terre Haute420$90,250$80,800$46,120$99,990
Elkhart-Goshen400$64,730$73,130$45,430$104,060
Kokomo400$91,470$84,240$50,430$96,660
Bloomington320$96,980$83,770$48,590$98,740
Lafayette-West Lafayette320$62,780$67,650$44,800$100,350
Columbus100$85,930$77,920$49,400$97,070
Michigan City-La Porte90$82,200$77,450$48,030$98,620
Muncie50$64,790$63,920$47,280$84,410

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for pipefitters in Indiana? Indiana currently employs approximately 11,280 pipefitters 1. Nationally, pipefitter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Indiana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Indiana.

How much do pipefitters earn in Indiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pipefitters in Indiana is $76,320, which is $13,350 above the national median of $62,970 according to BLS data 1.

In Indiana

Related trades & nearby areas

Explore More Trades in Indiana

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)