Plumber Salary

Indianapolis vs Terre Haute: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Indianapolis, IN and Terre Haute, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Indianapolis, IN
$78,920
$37.94/hr
Terre Haute, IN
$92,524
$44.48/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIndianapolis, INTerre Haute, IN
Median Salary$78,920$92,524
Hourly Rate$37.94$44.48
Entry Level (P10)$47,918$47,282
25th Percentile$61,338$62,968
75th Percentile$99,936$102,510
Top Earner (P90)$104,950$102,510
Total Employed4,010420
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Indianapolis ($78,920) and Terre Haute ($92,524) plumber salaries.IndianapolisTerre HauteMedian Salary$78,920$92,524Entry Level (P10)$47,918$47,282Top Earner (P90)$104,950$102,510US Median $65,408

Verdict

Indianapolis and Terre Haute are closely matched on overall plumber compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Indianapolis and Terre Haute is $13,604 (17.24%). Terre Haute's median is +41.46% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Indianapolis spans $57,032,Terre Haute spans $55,228. Indianapolis has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Indianapolis
P10 (Entry)$47,918
P25$61,338
Median$78,920
P75$99,936
P90 (Top)$104,950
Terre Haute
P10 (Entry)$47,282
P25$62,968
Median$92,524
P75$102,510
P90 (Top)$102,510

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Terre Haute ($105,384 effective) pays 27.79% more than Indianapolis ($82,469 effective).

Indianapolis
Nominal: $78,920
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $82,469
Terre Haute
Nominal: $92,524
CoL Index: 87.797
Adjusted: $105,384

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Indianapolis if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($104,950)
  • Larger job market (4,010 employed)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Terre Haute if…

  • Higher median salary ($92,524/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,384)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Indianapolis grew 44.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 28.9% growth in Terre Haute over the same period.

Indianapolis, IN

+44.8%

$53,160 (2019) → $76,980 (2025)

Terre Haute, IN

+28.9%

$70,020 (2020) → $90,250 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Indianapolis or Terre Haute?

Terre Haute has a higher median plumber salary at $92,524/year, compared to Indianapolis at $78,920/year — a difference of $13,604 (17.24%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Indianapolis and Terre Haute?

Indianapolis plumbers earn $37.94/hr while Terre Haute hygienists earn $44.48/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Indianapolis to Terre Haute as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Indianapolis and Terre Haute. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Indianapolis = $82,469, Terre Haute = $105,384), job availability (4,010 vs 420 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Indianapolis vs Terre Haute?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $47,918 in Indianapolis and $47,282 in Terre Haute. The Indianapolis area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Samuel Torres, CWP

Career Analyst

Samuel Torres has 10 years of experience in plumbing. He specializes in residential plumbing systems. He has worked with several home improvement companies.

Clinically reviewed by Aisha Patel, CWPData verified by Michael Chen, CWP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.52% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov