Welder Apprenticeship in Indiana

Wages, programs & career outlook
IN Median Salary
$48,460/yr
-5% vs. national
National Median
$51,000/yr
IN Employment
13,260
Welders employed
IN Sponsors
1307
Registered programs

Indiana Wage Spread

Annual wages for Welders in Indiana across all experience levels.

10th %ile
$37,690
25th %ile
$43,300
Median
$48,460
75th %ile
$59,100
90th %ile
$70,470

Welder Apprenticeship in Indiana

At $48,460 per year, Welder wages in Indiana are near the national median of $48,060. Combine that with zero tuition and the effective return exceeds what the raw salary suggests.

Wages for Welders in Indiana ($48,460/yr) track close to the $51,000 national median — within 5% either way. The state sits squarely in the middle of the pack.

Growth projections are modest at 2.2%, though the 45,600 annual replacement openings tell a better story. Retiring baby boomers in the trades create persistent demand regardless of economic cycles.

The 13,260 Welders in Indiana (3.0% of the national total) place the state in the middle tier for trade employment. Apprenticeship availability tracks accordingly — present but not abundant.

Expect a 3-year commitment for a Welder apprenticeship: 6,000 hours of supervised field work alongside coursework in precision measurement, CNC operations, and metallurgy. Pay starts lower but scales up — most programs bump wages every six months.

Indiana's 1,307 registered apprenticeship sponsors create one of the more competitive markets for program placement. Candidates should apply to multiple programs, as the most popular ones fill quickly.

Welder compensation in Indiana runs from $37,690 to $70,470 — a compressed $32,780 range. Less wage variation typically means more predictable career economics but fewer breakout earning opportunities.

Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors in Indiana

1307 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Indiana. Contact directly for program availability and application details.

Organization City County
Town of Albany - Wastewater Dept. Albany
Town of Albany - Water Dept. Albany
NOBLE R.E.M.C. Albion Noble County
D1 MOLD AND TOOL Alexandria Madison County
INMAP-FMS-03 Alexandria Alexandria
Udder Angels Childcare, LLC Alexandria
American Earthworks LLC Anderson Madison County
Anderson Community School Corporation Anderson
Anderson Community School Corporation-Southview Preschool Center Anderson
Anderson Municipal Light & Power Anderson Madison County
Cheetah Capital Management dba NARDCO Heating and Air Anderson Madison County
Detour Salon & Style Anderson
Essential Senior Health and Living Anderson
Even Flow Plumbing of Indiana, Inc. Anderson Madison County
Gateway Association Inc Anderson
Gateway Association, Inc. Anderson
I.U.O.E. LOCAL #103 Apprenticeship & Training Program J.A.C. Anderson Madison County
My Guy Plumbing, LLC Anderson Madison County
Park Place Children's Center Anderson
Perfecto Tool & Engineering Anderson Madison County
Plumbing Doctors LLC dba Home Heroes Plbg Htg & Air Anderson Madison County
Summers of Anderson Anderson Delaware County
Telamon-Transition Resources Anderson
WorkOne - Anderson Anderson
AAA Sales & Engineering Inc. Angola Steuben County
+ 5 more sponsors in Indiana

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Welder salary in Indiana?
Welders in Indiana earn a median salary of $48,460/yr according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). This is below the national median of $51,000 for the trade.
How long is a Welder apprenticeship?
Most Welder apprenticeships run 3 years. Apprentices work under a journeyman while attending classes, typically earning wages from day one with scheduled increases.
Should I do a Welder apprenticeship or go to trade school?
Apprenticeships offer paid training with no tuition, while trade school requires upfront costs but may be shorter. Many Welders combine both — starting with trade school basics before entering an apprenticeship.
Is there demand for Welders?
Demand for Welders is modest, with 2.2% projected growth through 2034. An aging workforce creates replacement openings even in slower-growth scenarios.
Where can I apply for a Welder apprenticeship in Indiana?
There are 1307 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Indiana. Start with your local IBEW, UA, or trade union office. You can also check apprenticeship.gov for listings and contact sponsors directly.
Do Welder apprentices get paid during training?
Apprentices are paid employees from the start. In Indiana, a first-year Welder apprentice might earn around $24,230/yr (roughly half the $48,460 journeyman median), with scheduled raises throughout the 3-year program.

Welder in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Indiana

Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024, DOL RAPIDS Registered Apprenticeship database, ApprenticeshipUSA Sponsor Directory.