Skilled trades
welder salary in Indiana
The median welder in Indiana earns $49,730 a year based on the latest BLS wage release. That is 7% below the national median of $53,750, and the top 10% in the state earns more than $74,880.
STATE MEDIAN
$49,730
Per year, 2025
TOP 10 PERCENT
$74,880
Per year
WORKERS IN STATE
13,280
Reported employment
VS NATIONAL
-7%
Below national median
What do welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn in Indiana?
These percentile cuts show how pay spreads from entry level earnings to top-end specialists in the state.
10TH PERCENTILE
$38,410
Lower end of the pay range
25TH PERCENTILE
$45,620
Early career benchmark
MEDIAN
$49,730
Middle of the market
75TH PERCENTILE
$60,710
Experienced worker benchmark
90TH PERCENTILE
$74,880
Top earning range
How does Indiana compare to national earnings?
Indiana pays 7% below the national median for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers. That makes cost discipline more important, especially if you are choosing between a free apprenticeship path, a community college certificate, and a private program.
Indiana
$49,730
State median annual wage
National median
$53,750
BLS national median wage
How do you train as a welder in Indiana?
In Indiana, the most common routes into welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers are union apprenticeship, non-union contractor apprenticeship, community college certificates, and trade school programs. Apprenticeship usually keeps debt lowest because you work while you train. Indiana can have its own certification, safety, or licensing rules for this path. Verify the state board and local employer requirements before you commit.
Lowest debt path
Apprenticeship, community college, or employer-sponsored training usually keeps borrowing pressure lowest. That matters more than raw starting pay if you are comparing a free path against a private program.
What to verify before enrolling
Check tuition, licensing hours, exam pass rates, employer placement, and how quickly the program gets you to a paid job in Indiana.
What is the debt-to-income reality in Indiana?
The 8% rule says a monthly student loan payment should ideally stay below 8% of gross monthly income.
For a community college style path with an illustrative $10,000 of training debt, a simple 10-year repayment schedule lands near $83 a month. Against a median gross monthly income of $4,144 in Indiana, that works out to about 2%.
This is an illustrative midpoint between a free apprenticeship path and a higher-cost private program. Your exact result depends on tuition, grants, and how long you stay in school.
What else should you read next?
Skilled trades guide
Read the full skilled trades guide for training paths, debt ranges, and employer context.
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Trade comparison methodology
See how CollegeLens sources BLS wages, training-cost ranges, and debt-to-income examples.
Common questions about welder pay in Indiana
What is the average welder salary in Indiana?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $49,730 for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Indiana, with the top 10% above $74,880.
Is welder a good career in Indiana?
Indiana currently has 13,280 reported jobs in this trade. The path can work well when training cost stays reasonable relative to a median income of $49,730.
How do you become a welder in Indiana?
In Indiana, the most common routes into welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers are union apprenticeship, non-union contractor apprenticeship, community college certificates, and trade school programs. Apprenticeship usually keeps debt lowest because you work while you train. Indiana can have its own certification, safety, or licensing rules for this path. Verify the state board and local employer requirements before you commit.
Where does Indiana rank for welder earnings?
Indiana is below the national median for this trade. State median: $49,730. National median: $53,750.
What does welder training cost in Indiana?
Training cost depends on the path. Apprenticeship can be near $0 out of pocket while you earn. Community college programs often land in the low thousands. Private trade school and certificate routes can be much higher. Always compare program cost against expected earnings in Indiana.