Plumber in Indiana

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for IN. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$64,560

trending_up +2.5% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Indiana.

engineering

11,620

Jobs (IN)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$150

Est. total cost

schedule

4 years

Time to complete

route How to become a plumber in Indiana

To become a licensed Journeyman Plumber in Indiana, individuals must complete a four-year approved apprenticeship program, which includes 576 hours of classroom instruction and 6,400 hours of on-the-job training. After completing the apprenticeship, applicants must pass the Indiana Journeyman Plumber Examination. The licensing body is the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Plumbing Commission, and while Indiana does not have reciprocity agreements with other states, out-of-state experience can be used to fulfill experience requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $44,390

25th percentile $49,500

50th (median) $64,560

75th percentile $89,180

90th (experienced) $97,900

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Indiana. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Indiana requirements

Licensing body	Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Plumbing Commission
State license	Required
Education	Completion of an approved apprenticeship program.
Experience	6,400.0 hours
Exam	Indiana Journeyman Plumber Examination ($75)
Application fee	$30
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	8.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Applicants must be at least 18 years old. A background check is required. Indiana does not offer reciprocity for journeyman or contractor plumbers, but out-of-state experience can be used to meet experience requirements. Plumbing contractors must also meet financial responsibility requirements and register their business.

Source: Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Plumbing Commission

workspace_premium Indiana license tiers

Indiana offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Apprentice	N/A
Journeyman	8,000
Contractor	8,000

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+4.5%

Faster than average

Annual openings

44,000

Nationwide per year

Total employment

504,500

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -1.12/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

Rough payback period

0 months

~$150 investment ÷ $64,560 median salary

check_circleIndiana license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a plumber career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming a plumber in Indiana? expand_more

In Indiana, becoming a plumber requires you to complete the required education (Completion of an approved apprenticeship program.), gain 6,400.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Indiana Journeyman Plumber Examination, and submit your application ($30 fee).

Do I need a license to work as a plumber in Indiana? expand_more

You cannot practice as a plumber in Indiana without a state license from Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Plumbing Commission. The required exam is the Indiana Journeyman Plumber Examination.

What is the average plumber salary in Indiana? expand_more

In Indiana, the median pay for plumbers comes to $64,560/year. — within a few percent of the $62,970 national figure. The range spans from $44,390 at the entry level to $97,900 for top earners.

How much does it cost to become a plumber in Indiana? expand_more

Plan on spending $150 total — that covers exam fee ($75) and application fee ($30) plus your education and training.

How quickly can I become a plumber in Indiana? expand_more

The typical timeline in Indiana is 4 years. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

Does Indiana require continuing education for plumbers? expand_more

Indiana requires 8.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your plumber license.