LPN Salary

Bloomington vs Evansville: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Bloomington, IN and Evansville, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bloomington, IN
$66,802
$32.11/hr
Evansville, IN
$68,388
$32.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBloomington, INEvansville, IN
Median Salary$66,802$68,388
Hourly Rate$32.11$32.87
Entry Level (P10)$54,583$53,431
25th Percentile$60,513$63,959
75th Percentile$76,368$75,967
Top Earner (P90)$78,641$79,465
Total Employed310680
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bloomington ($66,802) and Evansville ($68,388) licensed practical nurse salaries.BloomingtonEvansvilleMedian Salary$66,802$68,388Entry Level (P10)$54,583$53,431Top Earner (P90)$78,641$79,465US Median $68,071

Verdict

Evansville, IN offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bloomington.

The salary gap between Bloomington and Evansville is $1,586 (2.37%). Evansville's median is +0.47% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bloomington spans $24,058,Evansville spans $26,034. Evansville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced licensed practical nurses.

Bloomington
P10 (Entry)$54,583
P25$60,513
Median$66,802
P75$76,368
P90 (Top)$78,641
Evansville
P10 (Entry)$53,431
P25$63,959
Median$68,388
P75$75,967
P90 (Top)$79,465

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Evansville ($74,718 effective) pays 6.35% more than Bloomington ($70,256 effective).

Bloomington
Nominal: $66,802
CoL Index: 95.084
Adjusted: $70,256
Evansville
Nominal: $68,388
CoL Index: 91.528
Adjusted: $74,718

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bloomington if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Evansville if…

  • Higher median salary ($68,388/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($79,465)
  • Larger job market (680 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,718)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Bloomington grew 40.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 35.0% growth in Evansville over the same period.

Bloomington, IN

+40.5%

$44,980 (2019) → $63,200 (2025)

Evansville, IN

+35.0%

$47,940 (2019) → $64,700 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Bloomington or Evansville?

Evansville has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $68,388/year, compared to Bloomington at $66,802/year — a difference of $1,586 (2.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bloomington and Evansville?

Bloomington licensed practical nurses earn $32.11/hr while Evansville hygienists earn $32.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bloomington to Evansville as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bloomington and Evansville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bloomington = $70,256, Evansville = $74,718), job availability (310 vs 680 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Bloomington vs Evansville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $54,583 in Bloomington and $53,431 in Evansville. The Bloomington area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Thompson, LPNData verified by Maria Gonzalez, LPN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov