Highest Demand Jobs in Indianapolis Increase Through 2026

TV's David Letterman began his small screen career in his hometown of Indianapolis as a TV weatherman. Having never seen his forecasts, I wager that they were entertaining if not accurate.

In accordance with Late Night's Top 10 Lists, Indianapolis provides several such lists, one of which is shown below.

Indianapolis was added to Forbes.com listings of its Top 10 Best Cities in the country for job seekers to find, secure, and thrive in good jobs. A variety of reasons makes this true, even during recessions. One reason for this is the healthy college and university enrollment increasing since 2009.

Of the population, 1,800,000+ people live in the metro area and about 800,000 in the city of Indianapolis, according to US Census Bureau 2007 - 2015. A good place for Young Adult Professionals, Indianapolis is home to approximately 600,000 adults ages 25 to 44, which comprises the bulk of the city population.

Indianapolis Job Search and More

• WorkOne - Find any local jobs office by clicking a county or Metro Area on an interactive map.
• Fishers, Indiana - Indianapolis's booming suburb in the north end.

1. 2008: Working Mother Magazine - Local Eli Lily one of Top 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers
2. 2008 - NFL Super Bowl 2012 bid won by Indianapolis.
3. 2007 - Indianapolis in the Top 10 Cities for Total Biosciences Employment by Battelle and BIO
4. 2007: Indianapolis Colts first appear in the Super Bowl (XLI) and win over the Chicago Bears, 29-17.
5. 2007: Indianapolis 500 the first IndyCar event to include three women drivers: Patrick, Fisher, and Duno; with two, Patrick and Fisher, both finishing. In 1911, the Indy 500 was the first such race of this length in America.
6. 2007: Forbes - Indiana has the 4th Lowest Business Costs in the nation in labor, energy, and tax costs.
7. 2007: Expansion Management - Indianapolis is one of the 50 “hottest” cities in the US.
8. 2007: Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, 2007 New Economy Index - Indiana ranked 1st in the USA for Advanced Manufacturing Technology and Entrepreneurial Advances.
9. 2007: Business Facilities Magazine - Indiana was ranked 5th in Biotechnology Strength in the U.S. for drugs and pharmaceuticals.
10. 2004: Digital Education Achievement Award for Indianapolis Regional Center Plan 2020.

1. IT Engineers
2. Truck Drivers with CDL
3. Electrical, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineers - Includes the Aerospace Industry
4. RN Nurses
5. Nurse Practitioners
6. Nurse Managers
7. Physical Therapists
8. Store Managers and Assistants, including dining places.
9. Sales Representatives, inside and outside
10. Project Managers

Additional High Demand Jobs

1. Hewlett Packard Jobs
2. Administrative Assistants
3. Business Analysts
4. Warehouse Jobs
5. Occupational Therapists

Ongoing revitalization of a vibrant downtown area in Indianapolis is operating under a city development plan reaching to 2020. This plan includes the work of an innovative life sciences center called BioCrossroads.

The leadership of this firm ensures funding and launch of new technologies and products that mesh into the new Sustainability Movement in America. This encompasses

1. Health Information
2. Medical Technologies
3. Food & Agricultural Development

During the Great recession of 2008 - 2010, new jobs increased in Indianapolis through construction and jobs development in the central city.

In 2008 alone, $1.4 Billion funded completion of 26 separate major projects in real estate development, office space, and residential buildings Downtown (compared to only $157 Million in 1998). In the same year, $433,000,000 in life sciences projects were finished. Boosting Travel and Tourism in the city, nearly 8,000,000 visits were made to Downtown attractions. Downtown Indianapolis has over 50 WIFI Hotspots as well.

The number of university students in the downtown area in 2008 was 54,000 was significantly higher than in any year previously back to 1995. This trend continued throughout the 2010s. College towns such as these fare better during recessions than non-college cities, because of the presence of students with dollars to spend. This was interrupted by global pandemic restrictions in 2020-2021, but recovery was established in 2022.

This Downtown neighborhood of 250+ acres was purchased by two gentleman in 1835. By the early 1870s, it was not only a settlement, but a growing commercial area. German and German-Americans created much of the success, especially after the railroads came through in 1864. Commerce exploded with new businesses between 1909 - 1929 as well.

Drawing the arts and theater productions Downtown, this area continued to grow into the 1950s, where it stagnated until the 1990s and revitalization began. Ongoing building and development are planned through 2020.

1. U.S. Government
2. State of Indiana - Govt.
3. Eli Lilly and Co.
4. Indiana University
5. Purdue University
6. St.Vincent Health
7. Marsh Supermarkets Inc.
8. Clarian Health Partners
9. City of Indianapolis/Marion County - Unigov (combined).
10. Community Health Network and Hospitals

An additional five top employers in Indianapolis are all health care companies and include:

• Peyton Manning Children's Hospital
• Indiana University/Purdue University Hospitals
• Clarian Health Partners Inc
• Indianapolis Public Schools
• Methodist Hospital
• SBC Indiana
• Wishard Health Services
• Allison Engine, Transmission Division
• Ford Motor Company
• St. Francis Hospital and Health Centers

Nine of the top fastest-growing occupations in Central Indiana and Greater Indianapolis are in life sciences, making it one of the most significant growth sectors in the state.

Top 10 Fastest-Growing Jobs and Median Salaries in Central Indiana

1. Computer Software Engineers, Applications: Average Salary $70,700
2. Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts $70,600
3. Computer Systems Analysts $68,700
4. Pharmacists $95,000
5. Registered Nurses (RNs) $59,100+
6. Sales Representatives $50,000 - includes medical and pharmaceutical sales.
7. Dental Assistants $35,700
8. Postsecondary Teachers $57,800
9. Dental Hygienists $71,300
10. Management Analysts $61,200

Top 10 Hot Jobs in Indianapolis

1. Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts
2. Avionics Technicians
3. Veterinary Techs
4. Actuaries
5. Home Health Aides (HHAs)
6. Computer Software Applicatons Engineers
7. Pharmacy Technicians
8. Veterinarians
9. Environmental Engineers - especially in sustainability and green industry development.
10. Skin Care Specialists

• Medical Assistants
• Physician Assistants (PAs)
• College Level Computer Science Teachers
• College Level English Language & Literature Teachers
• Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
• Physical Therapist Assistants
• Personal Financial Advisors
• Personal/Home Care Aides
• Educational and Vocational Counselors
• Dental Hygienists

According to Indiana State Governor Mitch Daniels on the State of Indiana website, Indiana agreed to receive $4.3 Billion from the Obama-era Stimulus Package. Indianapolis and Marion County governments combined into a city-county Unigov and to receive funds from that amount. The Top 10 Projects will Include a portion each allotment following:

1. Medicaid, $1.4 billion for expansion with emphasis on covering needy children.
2. Education, $1.3 billion
3. Roads and Bridges, $650 million in infrastructure funding.
4. Nutrition, $400 million
5. Weatherization, $100 million
6. Water Quality, $100 million
7. Housing, $100 million
8. Public Transportation, $80 million
9. Energy, $70 million - expanding alternative sources, including biofuels.
10. Employment Services: $70 million for Employment & Training activities. $40 million in Child Care.

• Butler University
• Christian Theological Seminary
• Crossroads Bible College
• Indiana Bible College
• Indiana Business College
• Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
• Ivy Tech State College
• Marian College
• Martin University
• University of Indianapolis