How to Become a Plumber in Indiana (2026)
Indiana employs about 11,280 plumbers earning a median $76,320 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a plumber here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Plumbing Commission credentialing requirements.
Compare Plumber Schools in Indiana
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical Schools | 58.9 | Contact school for pricing | $44,754 | 81% | — | 174 mi |
| 2 | Columbus State Community College | 56.1 | $5,488 in-state / $11,224 out-of-state | $52,681 | 28% | Yes* | 169 mi |
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| 3 | Gateway Community and Technical College | 55.7 | $4,728 in-state / $6,432 out-of-state | $47,990 | 59% | Yes* | 98 mi |
| 4 | Owensboro Community and Technical College | 55.4 | $4,728 in-state / $6,432 out-of-state | $44,854 | 54% | Yes* | 150 mi |
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| 5 | Triton College | 54.9 | $5,070 in-state / $15,330 out-of-state | $52,701 | 29% | Yes* | 172 mi |
| 6 | Maysville Community and Technical College | 52.5 | $4,728 in-state / $6,432 out-of-state | $42,970 | 56% | Yes* | 149 mi |
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| 7 | Owens Community College | 49.9 | $5,870 in-state / $10,502 out-of-state | $55,401 | 35% | Yes* | 181 mi |
| 8 | Jefferson Community and Technical College | 49.7 | $4,808 in-state / $6,512 out-of-state | $50,106 | 35% | Yes* | 107 mi |
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| 9 | Vincennes University | 48.2 | $7,126 in-state / $16,858 out-of-state | $54,333 | 39% | Yes* | 104 mi |
| 10 | City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College | 37.3 | $4,590 in-state / $15,150 out-of-state | $43,247 | 31% | Yes* | 159 mi |
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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 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $76,320 1. Nationally, plumber 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 Plumber in Indiana, including licensing 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
- Licensing authority: Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Plumbing Commission
- Median wage (Indiana): $76,320 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Quick Answers About How to Become a Plumber in Indiana
How to become a Plumber in Indiana? Indiana requires credentials such as Plumbing Apprentice, Journeyman Plumber. The licensing authority is the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Plumbing Commission 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths into the plumber field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Indiana? Yes. Indiana has licensing or registration requirements for plumbers. The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Plumbing Commission oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in Indiana? The median annual wage for plumbers 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 Plumber in Indiana
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Indiana training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- 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.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Pass the state exam and apply for your license. Apply to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Plumbing Commission, pass the required examination, and obtain the plumber credential before working unsupervised in Indiana.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the apprenticeship sponsor or state apprenticeship office.
Plumber License Requirements in Indiana
The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Plumbing Commission oversees plumber licensing in Indiana 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Plumbing Apprentice | 860 IAC 2-1-7 Apprenticeship program; approval Authority: IC 25-28.5-1-8; IC 25-28.5-1-38 Affected: IC 25-28.5-1-18.1 Sec. 7. |
| Journeyman Plumber | 860 IAC 1-3-1 Examination; journeyman plumber Authority: IC 25-28.5-1-8; IC 25-28.5-1-38 Affected: IC 25-28.5-1 Sec. 1. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Plumber 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]
Federal Prevailing Wage in Indiana
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers working on federally funded construction projects in Indiana earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Indiana general wage determinations show approximately $44.93 per hour in base pay plus $23.23 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $68.16 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) 5.
Prevailing wages apply to federal construction contracts above the Davis-Bacon threshold and may differ from typical private-sector pay reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rates also vary by county and by classification within plumber work.
Plumber 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 Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 12,750 | $103,380 | $96,430 | $53,960 | $127,200 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | 4,010 | $76,980 | $76,260 | $46,740 | $102,370 |
| Cincinnati | 3,640 | $65,160 | $70,570 | $46,830 | $101,800 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | 2,780 | $74,680 | $71,560 | $48,250 | $94,920 |
| Fort Wayne | 1,160 | $77,110 | $78,260 | $47,850 | $102,520 |
| Evansville | 560 | $73,190 | $71,940 | $45,660 | $98,430 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 490 | $74,190 | $74,000 | $46,420 | $99,060 |
| Terre Haute | 420 | $90,250 | $80,800 | $46,120 | $99,990 |
| Elkhart-Goshen | 400 | $64,730 | $73,130 | $45,430 | $104,060 |
| Kokomo | 400 | $91,470 | $84,240 | $50,430 | $96,660 |
| Bloomington | 320 | $96,980 | $83,770 | $48,590 | $98,740 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette | 320 | $62,780 | $67,650 | $44,800 | $100,350 |
| Columbus | 100 | $85,930 | $77,920 | $49,400 | $97,070 |
| Michigan City-La Porte | 90 | $82,200 | $77,450 | $48,030 | $98,620 |
| Muncie | 50 | $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 plumbers in Indiana? Indiana currently employs approximately 11,280 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber in Indiana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Plumbing Commission for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
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 plumbers earn in Indiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in Indiana is $76,320, which is $13,350 above the national median of $62,970 according to BLS data 1.
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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
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Plumbing Commission - Licensing Information: http://www.in.gov/pla/plumbing.htm ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division - Davis-Bacon General Wage Determinations: https://sam.gov/wage-determinations ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / 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) |