Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Indiana
29 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states, the union scale and the state's own projection of which trades are growing.
Every trade in Indiana, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction manager | $51.15 | $106,390 | $82.69 | 5,450 | 32nd of 51 | +4.2% | 7% below |
| 2 | Lineman | $49.06 | $102,040 | $56.12 | 2,540 | 22nd of 51 | +10.9% | 7% above |
| 3 | Elevator mechanic | $44.42 | $92,390 | $60.50 | 120 | 28th of 37 | -17.6% | 16% below |
| 4 | Boilermaker | $43.95 | $91,410 | $56.10 | 170 | 9th of 37 | -3.1% | 20% above |
| 5 | Construction supervisor | $39.68 | $82,530 | $58.04 | 16,450 | 16th of 51 | 0.0% | 3% above |
| 6 | Heavy equipment operator | $38.26 | $79,580 | $47.53 | 11,520 | 7th of 51 | +14.2% | 33% above |
| 7 | Millwright | $37.09 | $77,140 | $46.14 | 1,760 | 10th of 48 | -2.0% | 17% above |
| 8 | Wind turbine technician | $36.87 | $76,680 | $39.55 | 140 | 4th of 25 | +19.3% | 20% above |
| 9 | Plumber | $36.69 | $76,320 | $49.29 | 11,280 | 16th of 51 | -3.2% | 20% above |
| 10 | Brickmason | $35.15 | $73,110 | $43.28 | 1,770 | 12th of 50 | +10.8% | 18% above |
| 11 | Ironworker | $33.72 | $70,130 | $47.52 | 2,750 | 21st of 50 | +1.4% | 12% above |
| 12 | Electrician | $32.93 | $68,490 | $47.75 | 19,020 | 21st of 51 | -16.3% | 8% above |
| 13 | Sheet metal worker | $30.79 | $64,040 | $50.04 | 4,580 | 21st of 50 | -1.7% | 4% above |
| 14 | Carpenter | $30.23 | $62,870 | $43.60 | 15,240 | 12th of 51 | +20.2% | 4% above |
| 15 | Cement mason | $29.46 | $61,270 | $36.95 | 4,390 | 18th of 51 | +15.1% | 7% above |
| 16 | Diesel mechanic | $29.14 | $60,610 | $38.33 | 8,840 | 29th of 51 | +9.2% | 2% below |
| 17 | HVAC technician | $29.05 | $60,430 | $47.02 | 8,530 | 30th of 51 | +5.8% | 1% below |
| 18 | Glazier | $28.95 | $60,210 | $36.23 | 1,270 | 18th of 50 | +11.3% | 6% above |
| 19 | Roofer | $27.88 | $57,980 | $42.91 | 2,980 | 22nd of 51 | +20.8% | 5% above |
| 20 | Machinist | $27.79 | $57,800 | $35.34 | 14,320 | 33rd of 51 | +8.0% | 2% below |
| 21 | Insulation worker | $26.26 | $54,630 | $36.64 | 780 | 11th of 48 | — | 11% above |
| 22 | Plasterer | $25.93 | $53,930 | $33.33 | 60 | 15th of 28 | -25.7% | 6% below |
| 23 | Crane operator | $25.46 | $52,950 | $42.13 | 2,300 | 48th of 50 | -34.6% | 22% below |
| 24 | Painter | $24.16 | $50,260 | $33.43 | 3,510 | 22nd of 51 | +3.2% | 2% above |
| 25 | Construction laborer | $24.07 | $50,070 | $35.93 | 28,600 | 16th of 51 | -4.0% | 6% above |
| 26 | Drywall installer | $23.95 | $49,810 | $33.58 | 680 | 31st of 49 | -9.2% | 15% below |
| 27 | Welder | $23.91 | $49,730 | $36.00 | 13,280 | 43rd of 51 | +4.3% | 7% below |
| 28 | Tile setter | $23.29 | $48,450 | $37.10 | 540 | 29th of 47 | -4.2% | 13% below |
| 29 | Solar installer | $22.18 | $46,140 | $34.15 | 490 | 28th of 32 | — | 13% below |
Most in-demand trades in Indiana
By the Indiana labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are wind turbine technicians (+61.2%), tile setters (+10.2%), electricians (+9.8%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (3,060 a year), electricians (1,800 a year), machinists (1,720 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 59,262 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind turbine technician | +61.2% | 30 | 180 | $36.87 |
| Tile setter | +10.2% | 60 | 760 | $23.29 |
| Electrician | +9.8% | 1,800 | 18,090 | $32.93 |
| HVAC technician | +9.8% | 790 | 8,220 | $29.05 |
| Construction manager | +9.1% | 740 | 8,590 | $51.15 |
| Solar installer | +8.9% | 70 | 700 | $22.18 |
| Construction laborer | +8.2% | 3,060 | 33,940 | $24.07 |
| Lineman | +8.1% | 210 | 2,440 | $49.06 |
| Roofer | +6.9% | 260 | 3,420 | $27.88 |
| Plasterer | +6.0% | 20 | 180 | $25.93 |
| Boilermaker | +5.9% | 20 | 190 | $43.95 |
| Construction supervisor | +5.8% | 1,470 | 18,120 | $39.68 |
| Drywall installer | +5.4% | 80 | 980 | $23.95 |
| Plumber | +5.3% | 1,100 | 12,410 | $36.69 |
| Ironworker | +5.3% | 220 | 2,570 | $33.72 |
| Insulation worker | +4.9% | 80 | 880 | $26.26 |
| Carpenter | +4.6% | 1,530 | 19,760 | $30.23 |
| Painter | +4.6% | 460 | 5,470 | $24.16 |
| Sheet metal worker | +4.1% | 320 | 3,740 | $30.79 |
| Glazier | +4.1% | 100 | 1,140 | $28.95 |
| Crane operator | +3.4% | 150 | 1,650 | $25.46 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +3.3% | 980 | 11,560 | $38.26 |
| Diesel mechanic | +3.1% | 770 | 9,200 | $29.14 |
| Machinist | +3.0% | 1,720 | 16,740 | $27.79 |
| Brickmason | +2.9% | 180 | 2,440 | $35.15 |
| Cement mason | +2.8% | 330 | 4,710 | $29.46 |
| Welder | +2.3% | 1,380 | 13,820 | $23.91 |
| Millwright | -0.4% | 170 | 1,900 | $37.09 |
Source: Indiana long-term occupational projections via Projections Central; state counts include the self-employed. Projections, not guarantees; see each trade page for the national BLS outlook.
Construction jobs in Indiana
Prevailing wage in Indiana
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Indiana, 88 of 91 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $68.36/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in Indiana
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Indiana?
Construction managers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $51.15 an hour in May 2025, followed by linemen ($49.06) and elevator mechanics ($44.42).
Which trades are in highest demand in Indiana?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, wind turbine technicians (+61.2%), tile setters (+10.2%), electricians (+9.8%). By openings a year, construction laborers (3,060 a year), electricians (1,800 a year), machinists (1,720 a year). The figures come from Indiana's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
How does Indiana compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 29 trades listed, 18 pay above the national median in Indiana and 11 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 93.3% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Indiana.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).