Do welders need a license in Indiana?

No statewide license is required for welders in Indiana. Most employers expect industry certifications such as AWS Certified Welder (CW), and OSHA 10/30 Safety Certification.

What apprenticeships are available for welders in Indiana?

In Indiana, apprenticeships are typically registered through state apprenticeship agencies and trade union locals. See the apprenticeship section above for current contact information.

How to Become a Welder in Indiana (2026)

Q: How much do welders earn in Indiana?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), welders in Indiana earned a median annual wage of approximately $49,730. Employment concentration in Indiana is about 1.55 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for welders in Indiana?

Indiana currently employs approximately 13,280 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 2.2% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Indiana welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn a median annual wage of $49,730 ($23.91/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 13,280 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -7.5% below the national median of $53,750 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $49,730 ($23.91/hr)
25th percentile: $45,620 per year
75th percentile: $60,710 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $74,880 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $38,410 per year
Workers employed in Indiana: 13,280
Versus national median: -7.5% below the U.S. median of $53,750
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.55 - this occupation is more concentrated in Indiana than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Indiana employs about 13,280 welders earning a median $49,730 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). No statewide license is required; most welders train through a certificate program and earn an industry certification before employers will hire them.

Compare Welder Schools in Indiana

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition (published, per year)	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Butler Technology and Career Development Schools	69.7	Contact school for pricing	$59,443	76%	—	95 mi
2	Great Oaks Career Campuses	68.3	Contact school for pricing	$52,299	90%	—	99 mi
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3	Elite Welding Academy LLC	55.9	Contact school for pricing	$55,281	89%	—	99 mi
4	Gateway Community and Technical College	55.7	$4,728 in-state / $6,432 out-of-state	$47,990	59%	Yes*	98 mi
Sponsored Ad
5	Cincinnati State Technical and Community College	50.7	$5,517 in-state / $10,044 out-of-state	$59,235	16%	Yes*	96 mi
6	Ivy Tech Community College	49.2	$5,154 in-state / $9,935 out-of-state	$53,369	40%	Yes*	2 mi
Sponsored Ad
7	Danville Area Community College	41.5	$4,440 in-state / $7,440 out-of-state	$47,299	45%	—	80 mi
8	Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis	38.5	Contact school for pricing	$51,742	57%	—	9 mi
Sponsored Ad
9	Fortis College-Cincinnati	27.9	$14,763	$40,980	50%	—	99 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 13,280 welders according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $49,730 ¹. The state’s concentration of welder jobs is 1.55x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, welder employment is projected to grow 2.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 45,600 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Welder in Indiana, including certification options, 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): $49,730 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Welder in Indiana

How to become a Welder in Indiana? Indiana does not require a state license for welders, but employers typically expect industry certifications such as AWS Certified Welder (CW) and OSHA 10/30 Safety Certification. Complete a training program to prepare.

How long does it take? Most paths into the welder 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? No state license is required, but certifications such as AWS Certified Welder (CW) and OSHA 10/30 Safety Certification are expected by most employers.

What do welders earn in Indiana? The median annual wage for welders in Indiana is $49,730 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,410 and experienced professionals can earn $74,880 or more ¹.

How to Become a Welder 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.
Earn an industry certification. While Indiana does not require a statewide license, earn AWS Certified Welder (CW) to meet employer expectations and improve hiring prospects.

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

Welder Certification Options in Indiana

Indiana does not require a state license to work as a welder. However, industry certifications can strengthen your resume and may be required by employers.

Common certifications for welders include:

AWS Certified Welder (CW)
OSHA 10/30 Safety Certification

For more information, visit the American Welding Society (AWS) ³. Contact training programs in Indiana for details on certification preparation courses.

Welder 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]

Welder Wages by Metro Area in Indiana

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers Wages by Metro Area in Indiana

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers 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	9,320	$52,650	$56,180	$39,130	$74,450
Cincinnati	3,160	$51,990	$55,730	$39,460	$73,970
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood	2,790	$51,070	$55,770	$37,690	$76,130
Elkhart-Goshen	2,000	$50,950	$56,770	$39,780	$80,080
Louisville/Jefferson County	1,790	$50,870	$54,800	$41,070	$70,360
Fort Wayne	890	$49,300	$52,210	$38,340	$63,730
Lafayette-West Lafayette	560	$49,020	$51,670	$39,410	$61,780
South Bend-Mishawaka	360	$47,670	$51,160	$38,440	$64,520
Evansville	350	$50,960	$55,640	$37,400	$75,720
Terre Haute	350	$46,090	$49,380	$37,780	$67,460
Columbus	310	$49,320	$50,690	$36,720	$66,790
Michigan City-La Porte	220	$53,420	$55,070	$37,790	$73,130
Muncie	200	$53,340	$52,720	$44,060	$67,700
Kokomo	110	$49,860	$57,270	$36,360	$82,440
Bloomington	60	$44,730	$50,340	$35,140	$85,180

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 welders in Indiana? Indiana currently employs approximately 13,280 welders ¹. Nationally, welder employment is projected to grow 2.2% 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 welders earn in Indiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for welders in Indiana is $49,730, which is $1,270 below the national median of $51,000 according to BLS data ¹.

In Indiana

Best Trade Schools in Indiana (2026)

Top local programs

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

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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
American Welding Society (AWS): https://www.aws.org/certification/ ↩︎

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)