Indiana Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Trade Industry Insights / Indiana Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Quick Takeaways on Trade Pay in Indiana
Indiana’s strong manufacturing and logistics footprint—particularly around Indianapolis and northern industrial corridors—supports steady demand for industrial maintenance, electrical, and mechanical trades alongside consistent construction and service work.
- Higher-paying paths on this page: Lineworker, CDL Truck Driver, AV Technician.
- Highest-paying trade in Indiana (from this table): Lineworker ($84,759)
- Typical mid-range trade pay: Median across listed trades is about $56,037 per year.
- Pay range across these trades: About $35,879 separates the highest vs lowest listed trades in Indiana.
- Most stable demand in Indiana: on-site mechanical and electrical roles that keep production lines running day after day.
- Best way to increase earnings: learn controls, diagnostics, and plant-specific systems—depth beats hopping job sites.
- Top paying trades on this page: Lineworker ($84,759) · CDL Truck Driver ($71,077) · AV Technician ($65,957)
Job Outlook for Skilled Trades in Indiana
Demand is shaped most by high concentration of plants, distribution centers, and just-in-time manufacturing operations, plus licensing rules, employer mix, and metro growth.
In Indiana, the most stable pay usually comes from industrial and logistics employers, where uptime and reliability matter more than short construction cycles.
- Outlook: Stable (industrial reliability)
- What drives demand: high concentration of plants, distribution centers, and just-in-time manufacturing operations.
- Where it’s hottest: major metros + fast-growing corridors (varies by trade).
- Biggest pay factors: experience, union coverage, licensing, overtime, and employer type.
Average Skilled Trade Pay in Indiana
Below is a snapshot of typical pay for popular trades in Indiana. Click a trade name to explore training paths, licensing steps, and career details.
Note: Some trades can rank high across many states due to national labor demand and standardized pay structures, but the exact pay levels still vary by state and metro area.
| Trade | Avg Hourly | Avg Weekly | Avg Monthly | Avg Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Technician | $25.49 | $1,020 | $4,420 | $53,042 |
| AV Technician | $31.71 | $1,268 | $5,496 | $65,957 |
| Carpenter | $24.84 | $994 | $4,306 | $51,666 |
| CDL Truck Driver | $34.21 | $1,367 | $5,923 | $71,077 |
| CNC Machinist | $23.50 | $940 | $4,073 | $48,880 |
| Construction | $24.94 | $998 | $4,323 | $51,875 |
| Concrete Finisher | $27.34 | $1,094 | $4,739 | $56,867 |
| Diesel Technician | $28.40 | $1,136 | $4,923 | $59,072 |
| Electrician | $30.09 | $1,204 | $5,217 | $62,603 |
| Heavy Equipment | $24.57 | $956 | $4,134 | $49,606 |
| HVAC Technician | $27.64 | $1,108 | $4,800 | $57,594 |
| Industrial Mechanic | $27.32 | $1,093 | $4,736 | $56,829 |
| Ironworker | $26.03 | $1,040 | $4,508 | $54,093 |
| Lineworker | $40.75 | $1,630 | $7,063 | $84,759 |
| Marine Mechanic | $28.26 | $1,131 | $4,898 | $58,738 |
| Mason | $26.56 | $1,062 | $4,604 | $55,245 |
| Plumber | $31.92 | $1,239 | $5,360 | $64,320 |
| Roofer | $23.94 | $958 | $4,150 | $49,795 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $25.33 | $975 | $4,228 | $50,734 |
| Welder | $24.18 | $969 | $4,198 | $50,378 |
Wage figures are estimates and can vary by experience level, metro area, union status, and employer.
About this table: wage data sources and methodology.
How Easy It Is to Find Trade Jobs in Indiana
Entry difficulty: Moderate, with strong manufacturing-driven demand. Indiana offers solid access to many skilled trades thanks to its deep manufacturing base, centralized logistics network, and long-standing employer-led training culture. While some licensed trades require formal credentials, many industrial and maintenance roles allow workers to enter through direct plant hiring and on-the-job training.
Unlike states where trade employment rises and falls with residential construction cycles, Indiana’s demand is tied to year-round manufacturing and logistics operations. Automotive plants, steel mills, distribution centers, utilities, and food processing facilities operate continuously, creating steady need for electricians, industrial mechanics, welders, HVAC technicians, and maintenance trades regardless of housing market conditions.
Because many employers train workers internally and operate outside high-cost metro areas, Indiana’s lower cost of living makes it easier for entry-level workers to build experience without relocating or taking on significant upfront education debt.
What Actually Drives Trade Hiring in Indiana
- Industrial maintenance over residential builds: Manufacturing plants and logistics facilities rely on in-house electrical and mechanical teams to keep operations running.
- Employer-based training pipelines: Many manufacturers hire entry-level workers and promote from within through structured on-the-job training.
- Automotive and steel production: Large facilities require skilled trades for equipment maintenance, retrofits, and compliance-driven upgrades.
- Logistics and distribution infrastructure: Warehouses and freight hubs depend on electricians, mechanics, and facility maintenance trades.
Where Trade Jobs Are Concentrated — and Why
- Indianapolis metro area: Centralized logistics, healthcare systems, and utilities create consistent demand for electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and maintenance trades.
- Northwest Indiana: Steel production, energy infrastructure, and heavy manufacturing support long-term industrial trade employment.
- Statewide manufacturing corridors: Automotive plants and supplier networks across Indiana sustain ongoing demand for skilled maintenance roles.
Manufacturing and Infrastructure Anchors
Rather than relying on short-term construction booms, Indiana’s trade workforce is supported by large, permanent industrial and logistics facilities that operate year-round:
- Automotive assembly and supplier plants — Continuous need for industrial electricians, maintenance technicians, and mechanical trades.
- Steel mills and heavy manufacturing — Long-term demand for welding, electrical, and mechanical maintenance roles.
- Logistics and distribution centers — Facility maintenance and equipment repair support uninterrupted operations.
How Trade Workers Actually Get Hired in Indiana
In Indiana, trade jobs are most commonly secured through employer hiring tied directly to manufacturing and logistics operations:
- Direct plant hiring: Manufacturing and logistics employers frequently bring on entry-level workers and train them internally.
- Technical college pipelines: Ivy Tech and regional technical programs often feed graduates into industrial maintenance and mechanical roles.
- Registered apprenticeships: Common in electrical, mechanical, and industrial trades, especially in manufacturing-heavy regions.
Ready to start a trade career in Indiana?
Compare accredited trade schools and registered apprenticeships across Indiana.
Indiana Trade Schools & Apprenticeships