Plumber Salary in Indiana: $79,519 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Indiana's 43 metropolitan areas, the average median plumber pay sits at $79,519/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 47-2152. Because Indiana sits at BEA RPP 91.3 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $87,096 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bloomington ($96,980), Kokomo ($91,470), Terre Haute ($90,250).
In 2026, the average median salary for plumbers in Indiana is projected to be $79,520, which is 21.6% higher than the national median of $65,408. This salary varies significantly across the state, with Bloomington leading at $99,424, while West Lafayette offers the lowest at $63,355, indicating a salary gap of $36,069. Factors driving these differences include local cost of living, demand for skilled labor, and regional economic conditions. Indiana requires plumbers to obtain state licensing, which includes passing a necessary examination after completing relevant training or apprenticeships. This regulation ensures a standard level of competency in the trade, contributing to job stability. The overall employment level in Indiana includes approximately 8,600 plumbers, with a projected annual growth rate of 2.52%, suggesting steady demand for plumbing services. Cities like Kokomo ($93,775), Terre Haute ($92,524), Columbus ($88,095), and Michigan City ($84,271) also offer competitive salaries, reflecting localized demand for plumbing services and the economic environment. With these factors in play, the outlook for plumbing careers in Indiana remains positive, especially in regions experiencing greater economic activity.
Indiana Plumber Salary Range
Overall salary range in Indiana: $45,929 (lowest entry-level) to $123,790 (highest top earner)
Indiana vs National Average
Indiana plumbers earn 21.57% more than the national median (+$14,111/year difference).
Indiana Plumber Salary Distribution (2026)
Plumber salaries in Indiana range from $48,310 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $104,211 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $79,519. The Indiana median is $14,111 above the US national median of $65,408. The average hourly rate is $38.23/hr. Approximately 8,600 plumbers are employed across 43 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$55,871
2025 BLS Actual
$77,565
2026 Current Est.
$79,519
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Indiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,871 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,534 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,179 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,679 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,314 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,757 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,565 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,519 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,523 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Indiana metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 38.8% from $55,871 (2019) to $77,565 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,523 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,652 (45.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Indiana metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.52% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Indiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Indiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| West Lafayette | $63,355 |
| Lafayette | $64,362 |
| Goshen | $65,424 |
| Elkhart | $66,361 |
| Muncie | $66,423 |
Best Value Cities for Plumbers in Indiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Indiana cities offer the most purchasing power for plumbers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terre Haute | $92,524 | 87.797 | $105,384 |
| Kokomo | $93,775 | 89.648 | $104,604 |
| Bloomington | $99,424 | 95.084 | $104,564 |
| Columbus | $88,095 | 93.003 | $94,723 |
| Michigan City | $84,271 | 91.682 | $91,917 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Indiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $48,310 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $79,519 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $104,211 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Indiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 43 Cities in Indiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bloomington | $99,424 |
| 2 | Kokomo | $93,775 |
| 3 | Terre Haute | $92,524 |
| 4 | Columbus | $88,095 |
| 5 | Michigan City | $84,271 |
| 6 | Noblesville | $79,864 |
| 7 | Gary | $79,088 |
| 8 | Fort Wayne | $79,053 |
| 9 | Indianapolis | $78,920 |
| 10 | Fishers | $78,800 |
| 11 | Carmel | $78,229 |
| 12 | Plainfield | $78,055 |
| 13 | Valparaiso | $77,913 |
| 14 | Westfield | $77,662 |
| 15 | Franklin | $77,650 |
| 16 | Schererville | $77,478 |
| 17 | Greenwood | $77,282 |
| 18 | Anderson | $77,205 |
| 19 | Richmond | $76,865 |
| 20 | Hammond | $76,830 |
| 21 | Marion | $76,338 |
| 22 | Portage | $76,295 |
| 23 | East Chicago | $76,258 |
| 24 | New Albany | $76,246 |
| 25 | Jeffersonville | $76,099 |
| 26 | South Bend | $76,060 |
| 27 | Zionsville | $75,884 |
| 28 | Hobart | $75,854 |
| 29 | Merrillville | $75,768 |
| 30 | Granger | $75,744 |
| 31 | Lawrence | $75,565 |
| 32 | Crown Point | $75,253 |
| 33 | Shelbyville | $75,230 |
| 34 | Mishawaka | $75,083 |
| 35 | Evansville | $75,034 |
| 36 | Brownsburg | $74,775 |
| 37 | Avon | $74,244 |
| 38 | Munster | $72,676 |
| 39 | Muncie | $66,423 |
| 40 | Elkhart | $66,361 |
| 41 | Goshen | $65,424 |
| 42 | Lafayette | $64,362 |
| 43 | West Lafayette | $63,355 |
More Indiana Salary Data
Compare Cities in Indiana
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Indiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for plumbers in Indiana?
How does Indiana plumber pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level plumber salary in Indiana?
How many plumbers are employed in Indiana?
Which Indiana city offers the best value for plumbers?
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 plumber compensation across Indiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 43 metro areas — larger metro areas with more plumberscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.52%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for plumbers (SOC 47-2152).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov