Average RN Salary in Indiana: See How Much IN Nurses Make
Updated June 16, 2023 · 5 Min Read
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Indiana offers a pleasant midwestern lifestyle, especially if you love sports or racing. Whether you are already in Indiana or considering a move, this guide to registered nurse (RN) salaries in Indiana gives you the information you need to negotiate the best possible offer. Keep reading for more about cost of living, where registered nurse salaries in Indiana are the highest, and how other nursing salaries compare.
- Average Indiana RN Salary: $68,890 (Ranks 40th among all states)
- Hourly Indiana RN Salary: $33.12
- Projected Indiana RN Employment Growth (2018-2028): 12.4%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Projections Central
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Average RN Salaries in Indiana
At first glance, RN salaries in Indiana are surprisingly low. The median RN salary in Indiana is $62,400 annually, compared to $77,600 nationally, according to the BLS. Half of all RN salaries in Indiana are between $59,920 and $77,650. By contrast, in neighboring Illinois, the median RN salary is $77,580. Hourly RN salaries in Indiana are also low, at a median $33 an hour.
However, the cost of living in Indiana is also lower. The average annual wage for all jobs in Indiana is $50,440, so RNs earn significantly more than the average worker.
| Percentile | Average Annual RN Salary | Average Hourly RN Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $48,400 | $23.27 |
| 25% | $59,920 | $28.81 |
| 50% (Median) | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| 75% | $77,650 | $37.37 |
| 90% | $90,260 | $43.40 |
Source: BLS
Indiana RN Salary, Adjusted for Cost of Living
While RN salaries in Indiana are low compared to the rest of the country, the cost of living is also on the low side. The cost-of-living index for Indiana is 92.5, with the national rate at 100. This means that an RN salary in Indiana could go 7.5% further than it would in the U.S. as a whole. The cost-of-living index is based on calculating the price of goods and services, especially necessities, such as transportation, food, and housing, and comparing them to the national average.
Still, RN salaries in Indiana are low. Adjusted for the cost of living, the average RN salary in Indiana is $74,057, making it the 42nd lowest RN salary in the country.
- Average RN Salary Adjusted for Cost of Living: $74,057 (Ranks 42nd among all states)
- Cost of Living Index (RPP): 92.5 (7.5% less than the U.S. average)
Highest-Paying Cities for RNs in Indiana
Unlike many states, RN in Indiana do not vary significantly among the highest-paying cities. Even unincorporated southern Indiana, home to the lowest-paying RN salaries in Indiana (at an average $63,070), is not that far from the highest-paying cities.
As in most states, the highest salaries are in the larger cities. The Indianapolis area has the highest salaries and almost 25,380 RNs, as it is home to five hospitals and health systems, including Indiana University's three teaching hospitals and one of the larger VA hospitals in the region, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center. In Fort Wayne, the two largest employers are Parkview Health System and Lutheran Health Network.
| City | Average RN Salary |
|---|---|
| Indianapolis — Carmel — Anderson, IN | $70,980 |
| Lafayette — West Lafayette, IN | $70,190 |
| Kokomo, IN | $69,310 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $68,770 |
| Michigan City — La Porte, IN | $67,370 |
Source: BLS
Average Salaries for Other Nursing Roles in Indiana
While RN salaries in Indiana are low compared to national salaries, the salaries for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are closer to national averages. Earning a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) prepares you to become a nurse anesthetist. Nationally, the median nurse anesthetist salary is $194,610, the median nurse practitioner salary is $120,680, and the median nurse midwife salary is $112,830, according to the BLS. Both require a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree.
If you want to earn a higher salary than the average RN salary in Indiana, pursuing a graduate degree can help you advance your career and increase your income.
- Nursing Assistants: $31,110
- LPN/LVNs: $51,500
- Nurse Midwives: $119,380
- Nurse Practitioners: $113,490
- Nurse Anesthetists: $190,200
Methodology and Sources
Registered nursing salary data by state is collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, released on March 31, 2022. Data reflects RN salaries as of May 2021. The highest-paying cities and states for RNs are ranked by average annual salary.
Cost-of-living data is collected from the U.S Bureau of Economic Analysis real personal income for states and metropolitan areas, released on December 14, 2021. RN salary adjusted for cost of living is calculated by multiplying each state's RN salary by its regional price parity (RPP). RPP measures differences in the cost of goods and services in a region compared to national prices.
Projected employment growth data by state is collected from Projections Central.
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