Highest-paying trades in Indiana
29 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
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 |
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 electrical power-line installers and repairers ($49.06) and elevator and escalator installers and repairers ($44.42).
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 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).