Quick answer: Plumbers in Indiana typically bill $80–$110 per hour (2025) — and more in higher-cost metros like Kokomo. The median plumber earns $36.69/hr ($76,320/year) per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data — a plumbing business charges roughly 2–3× that to cover overhead and profit.
Here's the full picture: what plumbers earn, what shops bill, what common jobs cost, how pay varies by metro, and how Indiana compares to other states.
Plumber income in Indiana (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Indiana's ~11,280 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $22.54 | ~$3,907 | ~$46,883 |
| Median (typical) | $36.69 | ~$6,360 | $76,320 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $49.29 | ~$8,544 | ~$102,523 |
Monthly and annual figures assume full-time work (about 2,080 hours a year).
What you earn vs. what you charge
The wages above are what a plumber takes home. What a plumbing business bills the customer is higher — it has to cover the truck, tools, insurance, licensing, fuel, office time, and profit. A shop typically bills 2.2–3× the worker's wage:
| Rate | |
|---|---|
| Median plumber wage (earned) | ~$37/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $80–$110/hr |
Where Indiana ranks
Indiana pays plumbers 20% above the national median, ranking 16th of 51 states — in the upper tier nationally:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — District of Columbia | $48.57 |
| Indiana (16th) | $36.69 |
| National median | $30.67 |
| Lowest — Arkansas | $23.39 |
Plumber rates by Indiana metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median plumber wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Kokomo | $43.98/hr | $95–$130/hr |
| Terre Haute | $43.39/hr | $95–$130/hr |
| Fort Wayne | $37.07/hr | $80–$110/hr |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | $37.01/hr | $80–$110/hr |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $35.67/hr | $80–$105/hr |
| Evansville | $35.19/hr | $75–$105/hr |
| Elkhart-Goshen | $31.12/hr | $70–$95/hr |
Kokomo is one of the higher-paying metros in the state for plumbers, reflecting local demand and cost of living.
What common plumbing jobs cost in Indiana
At Indiana billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical Indiana range |
|---|---|
| Service call / diagnostic | $90–$155 |
| Drain cleaning / snaking | $150–$425 |
| Faucet or fixture replacement | $150–$350 + fixture |
| Toilet installation | $200–$475 + toilet |
| Garbage disposal install | $200–$475 |
| Leak detection & repair | $150–$625 |
| Sump pump replacement | $425–$950 |
| Sewer line camera inspection | $150–$425 |
| Water heater replacement | $1,400–$3,000 installed |
| Whole-home repipe | $4,000–$12,500+ |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How plumbers compare to other trades in Indiana
Here's how plumber pay lines up against Indiana's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber | $36.69/hr | $80–$110/hr |
| Electrician | $32.93/hr | $70–$100/hr |
| Carpenter | $30.23/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| HVAC technician | $29.05/hr | $65–$85/hr |
| Roofer | $27.88/hr | $60–$85/hr |
Setting your own rate
Use these as benchmarks, not rules — your rate has to cover your real overhead and the profit margin you need. See how to price a job to run the math, then build a quote with the free plumber estimate generator, or download BIG INVOICE to invoice from your phone with your rates saved.
Do plumbers need a license in Indiana?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Indiana contractor & trade licensing to check whether plumbers need a state license in Indiana, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do plumbers charge per hour in Indiana?
In 2025, most Indiana plumbers bill $80–$110 per hour. That rate covers the worker's wage (a $37/hr median) plus overhead and profit.
What is the average plumber salary in Indiana?
The median plumber in Indiana earns about $76,320 a year ($36.69/hr). Entry-level plumbers earn around $47,000 and the most experienced earn $103,000 or more.
Do plumbers earn more in Indiana than nationally?
Yes — Indiana's median plumber wage is about 20% above the national median of $30.67/hr, ranking 16th of 51 states.
Which Indiana city pays plumbers the most?
Kokomo, at a $43.98/hr median wage, is among the highest-paying metros in the state.
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Billed rates and job-cost ranges are illustrative estimates (median wage × 2.2–3.0 overhead-and-profit markup), not quotes.