Plumber in Evansville, IN

The Salary Picture: Where Evansville Stands

As a plumber in Evansville, you're looking at a solid, middle-class income in a city where your dollar stretches far. The median salary for plumbers here is $61,411/year, which breaks down to about $29.52/hour. This is slightly below the national average of $63,350, but don’t let that fool you. When you factor in Evansville’s cost of living, which is 11.2% lower than the U.S. average, that salary feels much stronger. The metro area has 226 plumber jobs, and the field is projected to grow 6% over the next 10 years, keeping pace with national trends as aging infrastructure and new construction continue to drive demand.

Your earning potential in Evansville is heavily influenced by experience and licensure. Here’s a realistic breakdown:

Experience Level	Annual Salary Range	Key Responsibilities & Notes
Entry-Level	$42,000 - $50,000	Typically a helper or apprentice. Focus on basic pipe fitting, drain cleaning, and assisting licensed plumbers. Requires a valid driver's license and reliability.
Mid-Level	$55,000 - $68,000	Licensed journeyman. Handles residential service calls, minor repairs, and can work independently on most jobs. This is where many in Evansville find their sweet spot.
Senior	$68,000 - $80,000	Licensed master plumber or lead technician. Manages complex projects, commercial work, and mentors apprentices. Often involves emergency call-out duties.
Expert/Contractor	$80,000+	Business owner or specialized consultant. Income is tied to business success. High earners here often focus on commercial contracts or niche markets like medical gas or backflow prevention.

When comparing cities in Indiana, Evansville sits in a competitive spot. Indianapolis offers higher nominal pay (median around $65,000), but rent and living costs are significantly higher. Fort Wayne’s salary is similar to Evansville’s, but the job market is slightly smaller. Evansville’s advantage is its stability—it’s a regional healthcare and manufacturing hub, which means steady demand for plumbing services from both sectors.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's run the numbers for a plumber earning the median salary of $61,411. After federal and state taxes (Indiana’s flat rate is 3.15%), your take-home pay is roughly $46,500 annually, or about $3,875 per month.

With the average 1-bedroom rent in Evansville at $850/month, you’re spending only 22% of your monthly take-home on housing. This is well below the recommended 30% threshold, leaving you significant breathing room.

Here’s a sample monthly budget breakdown:

Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Take-Home Pay	$3,875	After taxes on a $61,411 salary.
Rent (1BR)	$850	Average for the metro area.
Utilities	$200	Includes electric, water, gas, and internet.
Groceries	$400	A reasonable estimate for a single person.
Car Payment/Insurance	$450	Reflects a modest vehicle payment and full coverage.
Health Insurance	$300	Premium varies if through an employer or marketplace.
Misc./Entertainment	$600	Covers dining out, hobbies, and personal care.
Savings/Retirement	$1,075	A strong 28% savings rate, achievable at this income in Evansville.

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely. With a strong savings rate, a plumber could build a down payment in a few years. The median home value in Evansville is around $150,000. A 20% down payment is $30,000. At the savings rate above, you could save that in under three years. A monthly mortgage payment on a $120,000 loan (at current rates) might be around $900-$1,000, which is still manageable on a plumber's income here.

Where the Jobs Are: Evansville's Major Employers

The plumbing job market in Evansville is fueled by a mix of healthcare, education, industrial manufacturing, and a robust residential service sector. Here are the specific local employers you should be targeting:

1. Deaconess Health System: Evansville’s largest employer. They have a dedicated facilities team that handles maintenance, renovation, and emergency plumbing for multiple hospitals and clinics. They value licensed plumbers with experience in commercial and medical-grade work. Hiring is often steady but competitive.
2. Ascension St. Vincent Evansville: Another major healthcare provider. Similar to Deaconess, they need plumbers for their main hospital and outpatient facilities. They often hire through third-party contractors but also have in-house maintenance roles.
3. Berry Global: A global plastics manufacturer with a massive footprint in Evansville. Their facilities require industrial plumbers for process piping, water treatment, and facility maintenance. This is a great avenue for commercial/industrial experience.
4. SABIC Innovative Plastics: Another key industrial player. They often work with local contractors for facility upgrades and maintenance, creating project-based opportunities for skilled plumbers.
5. Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC): With over 30 schools, EVSC has a constant need for facilities maintenance plumbers. These jobs offer stable hours, good benefits, and are often less frantic than emergency service work.
6. Local Construction & Contracting Firms: Companies like Rogers Group (though more civil) and Hafer Construction are involved in local commercial and residential projects. The residential service market is dominated by local companies like Cox Plumbing Heating & Cooling and Day & Night Air Conditioning & Plumbing. These are often the quickest path to employment for new arrivals.

Hiring Trends: The demand is steady. The healthcare and education sectors are the most stable. The industrial sector sees hiring tied to plant expansions. The residential service market is always active, with growth fueled by Evansville’s aging housing stock (many built in the mid-20th century) and new developments on the city’s north side.

Getting Licensed in IN

Indiana has a clear, tiered licensing system managed by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) - Plumbing Licensing Board. It’s not a "quick start" field, but the path is well-defined.

1. Plumber Trainee: You can start as a trainee with no license, working under a licensed master plumber. This is your apprenticeship phase. No formal state license is required at this stage, but you must register as a trainee with the state if you perform plumbing work.
2. Journeyman Plumber: To become a journeyman, you need:
   • Experience: 5,000 hours of on-the-job training (roughly 2.5 years full-time) under a licensed master plumber.
   • Education: Completion of a state-approved training program or an associate degree from an accredited institution.
   • Exam: Pass the Journeyman Plumber exam.
   • Cost: Exam fee is approximately $150. Application fee is around $50.
3. Master Plumber: This is the license required to own a business, pull permits, and supervise apprentices. You need:
   • Experience: 5,000 hours as a licensed journeyman.
   • Exam: Pass the Master Plumber exam.
   • Cost: Similar fees to the journeyman exam.

Timeline to Get Started: You can begin working as a trainee immediately. Earning your journeyman license typically takes 2-3 years of dedicated work and study. The master license requires another 2.5+ years. A formal apprenticeship program, like those offered through local unions or technical schools, can streamline this process and provide structured training.

Insider Tip: The Evansville area has local training programs. Check with Ivy Tech Community College - Evansville for relevant coursework that can count toward the education requirement. Also, contact the Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 136 in Evansville about their apprenticeship program—union jobs often come with strong benefits and a clear career path.

Best Neighborhoods for Plumbers

Where you live will affect your commute, lifestyle, and budget. Here’s a neighborhood breakdown tailored for a working plumber:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Rent Estimate (1BR)	Best For...
North Side	Modern, suburban feel. Easy access to I-69 and US 41. Commute to industrial parks (Berry, SABIC) or healthcare centers (Deaconess North) is quick. Family-friendly with good schools.	$900 - $1,150	Plumbers working in industrial or healthcare sectors who want a short commute and modern amenities.
East Side	More established, residential area. Good access to downtown jobs and residential service calls. A mix of older homes (good for service work) and newer subdivisions.	$750 - $950	The starting plumber. Affordable, central, and easy access to a wide range of job sites.
Downtown/Intown	Urban, walkable, and close to Evansville’s core. Great for nightlife and culture. Commute to anywhere in the metro is under 15 minutes. Older, character-filled buildings.	$800 - $1,200	Plumbers who value a vibrant urban lifestyle and don't mind a short commute to the suburbs for work.
Southwest Side	Quiet, blue-collar area with a strong community feel. Close to the Ohio River and some industrial areas. More affordable housing stock.	$700 - $850	The budget-conscious plumber. Ideal for someone who wants to maximize savings or is working in local service companies based on the south side.
Newburgh (Suburb)	A historic river town, technically separate but part of the metro. Small-town charm, excellent schools, but a 20-25 minute commute to Evansville jobs.	$900 - $1,200	Plumbers with families who prioritize school districts and a quieter lifestyle, and don’t mind a slightly longer commute.

Insider Tip: If you're in residential service, living centrally (East Side or Intown) minimizes your daily drive to customer homes across the city. For industrial work, the North Side is unbeatable for proximity.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Evansville, your career growth is less about finding a new ladder and more about climbing the one you're on. The path to a six-figure income is through specialization and entrepreneurship.

• Specialty Premiums:
  • Commercial/Industrial: Plumbers with experience in commercial construction or industrial process piping (like at Berry Global) can command a 10-20% premium over residential service rates.
  • Medical Gas: Certification in medical gas piping (for hospitals) is a high-value niche with limited competition.
  • Backflow Prevention: Certified backflow testers are in constant demand from businesses and irrigation systems. This is a great side certification.
• Advancement Paths:
  1. Service Technician to Lead Tech: Take on more complex jobs and mentor newer plumbers.
  2. Field Supervisor: Manage a team of technicians for a contracting company.
  3. Business Owner: The ultimate goal for many. Evansville’s lower overhead costs make starting a small residential service or specialty contracting company viable. The local market supports a few dozen successful small plumbing businesses.
• 10-Year Outlook: The 6% growth is solid. However, the real opportunity is in the "silver tsunami"—a significant portion of master plumbers in the Evansville area are nearing retirement. This has created a growing shortage of licensed professionals, which will drive wages upward for those who get licensed and specialize. The industrial sector is also expanding with new investments in EVV, ensuring steady commercial work.

The Verdict: Is Evansville Right for You?

Evansville is a pragmatic choice for a plumber. It’s not a high-growth, high-cost coastal city; it’s a stable, affordable Midwest hub where a skilled trade provides a very comfortable living.

Pros	Cons
Low Cost of Living: Your salary goes far; home ownership is very attainable.	Limited High-End Specialization: Fewer opportunities for ultra-niche, high-paying fields compared to larger metros.
Stable Job Market: Healthcare, education, and manufacturing provide consistent demand.	Slower Pace: Career progression can feel slower compared to booming cities.
Manageable Commutes: No significant traffic. You can live anywhere and reach most jobs quickly.	Smaller Network: The local industry is tight-knit; reputation matters, and it can take time to build.
Friendly, Practical Community: A strong "blue-collar" ethos with respect for skilled trades.	Weather: Hot, humid summers and the possibility of harsh winters can affect outdoor work and pipe freezing risks.
Growth in Aging Infrastructure: A real, long-term driver for residential service work.	Less "Glamour": It's a working city, not a destination for nightlife or culture seekers.

Final Recommendation: Evansville is an excellent choice for a plumber who values financial stability, a reasonable pace of life, and a clear path to home ownership. It's ideal for both apprentices starting their career and experienced plumbers looking to settle down, start a family, or eventually own a business. If you're seeking the highest possible salary or a vast urban sprawl, look elsewhere. But if you want to build a solid, respected, and financially secure life as a plumber, Evansville is a top-tier contender.

FAQs

1. Is the job market for plumbers in Evansville competitive?
Yes, but in a healthy way. There are enough jobs for qualified, licensed plumbers. The competition is strongest for entry-level helper positions. Once you have a journeyman's license, you are in high demand. Showing up reliably, having a clean driving record, and good customer service will set you apart.

2. Do I need a car to work as a plumber in Evansville?
Absolutely, yes. Evansville is a car-dependent city. Plumbers drive to job sites, service calls, and suppliers. A reliable van or truck is a standard tool of the trade. Public transportation is not a viable option for this profession here.

3. How does the union (Local 136) compare to non-union work in Evansville?
Local 136 offers structured apprenticeship, strong benefits (pension, health insurance), and prevailing wage on certain contracts. Non-union shops offer more flexibility, potentially faster earnings early on, and direct contact with a variety of local employers. Both are viable; it often comes down to personal preference for structure vs. independence.

4. What's the biggest challenge for plumbers new to Evansville?
Building a local network. The industry here is relationship-based. Getting your foot in the door with a reputable contractor or service company is key. Attend local trade events, join the Indiana Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (IPHCC) chapter, and don't be afraid to call well-regarded local companies directly.

5. Are there opportunities for side work?
Very common. Many licensed plumbers do side jobs for friends, family, and neighbors. This is a significant part of the income for many mid-career plumbers in Evansville. However, it is critical to understand Indiana law: Performing plumbing work for a fee without a license is illegal and carries fines and penalties. Ensure you are properly licensed for any work you undertake.