Registered nurse salary in Indiana

The median registered nurse in Indiana earned $83,500 a year in 2025, $14,050 (14%) below the $97,550 national median. That ranks 36th of 51 states.

Median yearly pay
$83,500
Average yearly pay
$89,150
Employed in Indiana
68,980

How Indiana compares

  • California highest state$140,270
  • United States national median$97,550
  • Middle state median of state medians$93,600
  • Indiana 36th of 51$83,500
  • Alabama lowest state$77,080

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates. Pay is before tax and does not adjust for cost of living, which is higher in some states than others.

Nursing pay in Indiana

Median pay by nursing role in Indiana
RoleMedian yearly payEmployed
Registered nurse$83,50068,980
LPN or LVN$65,72014,480
Nurse practitioner$128,8307,450

A nurse practitioner in Indiana earns a median $45,330 more than a registered nurse ($128,830 against $83,500). A registered nurse earns a median $17,780 more than an LPN or LVN here ($83,500 against $65,720).

Next steps

Common questions

How much does a registered nurse make in Indiana?

The median is $83,500 a year, according to BLS data for May 2025. Half of registered nurses in Indiana earn more and half earn less.

Is Indiana a high-paying state for registered nurses?

Indiana ranks 36th of 51 states on median pay for this job. The national median is $97,550, so Indiana pays 14% below it. The highest median is $140,270 in California.

How many registered nurses work in Indiana?

BLS counted 68,980 registered nurses employed in Indiana in May 2025.

Why is the average different from the median?

The median is the middle wage: half of workers earn less. The average adds every wage and divides, so a few very high earners pull it up. In Indiana the average is $89,150, $5,650 above the median.

What do you need to work as a registered nurse in Indiana?

Indiana requires an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing and a passing NCLEX-RN score, and a state license.