What this means Our calculation
13 of 21 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is plumbers at $96,980. Prices run 5% below the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth more than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is lower than most metros (3.4%) and the population is growing at a typical pace (+2.0% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Bloomington Government data
All 21 trades
Vs. U.S. compares with the typical metro for that trade. Jobs are employment estimates, not open positions. Click a column to sort.
| Trade | Median pay | Vs. U.S. | Real pay | Jobs | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumber | $96,980 | +58% | $101,994 | 320 | #7 |
| Construction Supervisor | $79,810 | +3% | $83,936 | 320 | #133 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $67,550 | +6% | $71,042 | 130 | #133 |
| Building Inspector | $67,220 | -0% | $70,695 | 90 | #172 |
| Electrician | $65,660 | +5% | $69,055 | 210 | #156 |
| Concrete Finisher | $65,510 | +14% | $68,897 | 80 | #42 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $63,950 | -3% | $67,256 | 50 | #134 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $62,730 | +1% | $65,973 | 90 | #148 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $62,120 | +4% | $65,332 | 230 | #148 |
| Carpenter | $61,360 | +9% | $64,532 | 270 | #107 |
| HVAC Technician | $60,920 | +2% | $64,070 | 180 | #159 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $57,260 | +11% | $60,220 | 40 | #97 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $57,080 | -5% | $60,031 | 80 | #291 |
| Painter | $53,240 | +12% | $55,993 | 90 | #87 |
| Roofer | $49,530 | -1% | $52,091 | 90 | #145 |
| Construction Laborer | $48,710 | +4% | $51,228 | 360 | #154 |
| Auto Mechanic | $48,480 | -1% | $50,986 | 330 | #221 |
| Machinist | $47,850 | -16% | $50,324 | 540 | #332 |
| Maintenance Technician | $47,200 | -2% | $49,640 | 760 | #234 |
| Welder | $44,730 | -14% | $47,043 | 60 | #365 |
| Landscaper | $38,290 | +2% | $40,270 | 530 | #152 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Bloomington
The Bloomington area has about 77,037 homes. 40% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is newer than most; 15% were built in 2010 or later. 57% of households own their home, and the median home value is $311,100.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Bloomington Government data
In an average year, Bloomington has 20 days at 90°F or hotter (fewer than most metros; typical metro 33), 108 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 79 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more. Summer afternoons average 84°F and winter nights 24°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Bloomington Monroe Co Airport, IN station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
3.4% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Bloomington area's population grew 2.0% from 2020 to 2025 (161,954 → 165,231), ranking #218 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +4,817) account for more than all of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Bloomington are down 40% from 2021 to 2025 (2,086 → 1,261). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Bloomington area is 21 minutes each way, shorter than the typical metro (24 min). 9% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 67% drive alone, 2% take transit and 12% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in Indiana Official source
The main state licensing office in Indiana is the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. The state licenses plumbers; most other trades are licensed locally. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official Indiana licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 8.3% of wage and salary workers in Indiana were union members, below the U.S. rate of about 10% (#27 of 51 states and D.C.), and 9.6% were covered by a union contract. These figures cover all jobs in the state, not only the trades.
BLS Union Members, 2025 (Current Population Survey), table 5.
Nearby metros
Compare any trade in two cities with city vs. city, or see every metro in Indiana.