Welder Salary in Indiana: $52,277 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Indiana's 43 metropolitan areas, the average median welder pay sits at $52,277/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 51-4121. Because Indiana sits at BEA RPP 91.3 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $57,258 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Michigan City ($53,420), Muncie ($53,340), Indianapolis ($51,070).
In Indiana, the projected average median salary for welders in 2026 is $52,277, which is approximately 6.5% lower than the national median of $55,895. The highest paying city in the state is Michigan City, offering an average of $55,551, while the lowest is Bloomington at $46,515, presenting a salary gap of $9,036. This discrepancy can be attributed to factors such as local demand for skilled labor, the presence of manufacturing facilities, and industry growth in different regions. Indiana does not have state-specific licensing requirements for welders, but certification can enhance job prospects. The scope of practice is relatively broad, allowing welders to engage in various industries, including construction and manufacturing. The job market for welders in Indiana shows a growth rate of 3.99% annually, suggesting a steady demand for skilled workers. The top cities projected for salaries in 2026 include Muncie at $55,468, Indianapolis at $53,108, Evansville at $52,993, and Elkhart at $52,983. With a total of 8,480 welders employed statewide, these figures indicate a solid outlook for individuals considering a career in welding in Indiana.
Indiana Welder Salary Range
Overall salary range in Indiana: $35,768 (lowest entry-level) to $88,579 (highest top earner)
Indiana vs National Average
Indiana welders earn 6.47% less than the national median ($-3,618/year difference).
Indiana Welder Salary Distribution (2026)
Welder salaries in Indiana range from $39,957 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $76,161 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $52,277. The Indiana median is $3,618 below the US national median of $55,895. The average hourly rate is $25.13/hr. Approximately 8,480 welders are employed across 43 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$40,277
2025 BLS Actual
$50,271
2026 Current Est.
$52,277
2019–2027 Growth
+35.0%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Indiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,277 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,836 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,718 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,404 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,271 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,277 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,363 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Indiana metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 24.8% from $40,277 (2019) to $50,271 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,363 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,086 (34.97%) 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 3.99% 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 |
|---|---|
| Bloomington | $46,515 |
| Munster | $47,449 |
| Terre Haute | $47,929 |
| Avon | $48,473 |
| Brownsburg | $48,819 |
Best Value Cities for Welders in Indiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Indiana cities offer the most purchasing power for welders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muncie | $55,468 | 88.148 | $62,926 |
| Michigan City | $55,551 | 91.682 | $60,591 |
| Elkhart | $52,983 | 90.325 | $58,658 |
| Evansville | $52,993 | 91.528 | $57,898 |
| Kokomo | $51,849 | 89.648 | $57,836 |
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) | $39,957 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $52,277 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $76,161 |
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 | Michigan City | $55,551 |
| 2 | Muncie | $55,468 |
| 3 | Indianapolis | $53,108 |
| 4 | Evansville | $52,993 |
| 5 | Elkhart | $52,983 |
| 6 | Carmel | $52,643 |
| 7 | Goshen | $52,235 |
| 8 | Noblesville | $52,142 |
| 9 | Greenwood | $52,005 |
| 10 | Kokomo | $51,849 |
| 11 | Gary | $51,635 |
| 12 | Fishers | $51,447 |
| 13 | Columbus | $51,288 |
| 14 | Fort Wayne | $51,267 |
| 15 | Lafayette | $50,976 |
| 16 | Plainfield | $50,960 |
| 17 | Valparaiso | $50,868 |
| 18 | Westfield | $50,703 |
| 19 | Franklin | $50,696 |
| 20 | Schererville | $50,584 |
| 21 | Anderson | $50,406 |
| 22 | Richmond | $50,183 |
| 23 | West Lafayette | $50,178 |
| 24 | Hammond | $50,161 |
| 25 | Marion | $49,839 |
| 26 | Portage | $49,811 |
| 27 | East Chicago | $49,787 |
| 28 | New Albany | $49,779 |
| 29 | Jeffersonville | $49,683 |
| 30 | South Bend | $49,572 |
| 31 | Zionsville | $49,543 |
| 32 | Hobart | $49,523 |
| 33 | Merrillville | $49,467 |
| 34 | Granger | $49,451 |
| 35 | Lawrence | $49,335 |
| 36 | Crown Point | $49,131 |
| 37 | Shelbyville | $49,117 |
| 38 | Mishawaka | $48,936 |
| 39 | Brownsburg | $48,819 |
| 40 | Avon | $48,473 |
| 41 | Terre Haute | $47,929 |
| 42 | Munster | $47,449 |
| 43 | Bloomington | $46,515 |
More Indiana Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced welders.
Compare Cities in Indiana
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in Indiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for welders in Indiana?
How does Indiana welder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level welder salary in Indiana?
How many welders are employed in Indiana?
Which Indiana city offers the best value for welders?
Written by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder
Career Analyst
James has over 10 years of experience in welding. He specializes in MIG and TIG welding. He has worked in various manufacturing settings.
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 3.99% 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 welder compensation across Indiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 43 metro areas — larger metro areas with more welderscontribute 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 3.99%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for welders (SOC 51-4121).
Compiled and verified by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder, a licensed welder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov