LPN Salary

Carmel vs Evansville: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

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

Carmel, IN
$70,408
$33.85/hr
Evansville, IN
$68,388
$32.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarmel, INEvansville, IN
Median Salary$70,408$68,388
Hourly Rate$33.85$32.87
Entry Level (P10)$56,467$53,431
25th Percentile$65,541$63,959
75th Percentile$83,822$75,967
Top Earner (P90)$91,872$79,465
Total Employed15680
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carmel ($70,408) and Evansville ($68,388) licensed practical nurse salaries.CarmelEvansvilleMedian Salary$70,408$68,388Entry Level (P10)$56,467$53,431Top Earner (P90)$91,872$79,465US Median $68,071

Verdict

Carmel, IN offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Evansville.

The salary gap between Carmel and Evansville is $2,020 (2.95%). Carmel's median is +3.43% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carmel spans $35,405,Evansville spans $26,034. Carmel has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Carmel
P10 (Entry)$56,467
P25$65,541
Median$70,408
P75$83,822
P90 (Top)$91,872
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, Carmel ($77,117 effective) pays 3.21% more than Evansville ($74,718 effective).

Carmel
Nominal: $70,408
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $77,117
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 Carmel if…

  • Higher median salary ($70,408/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,872)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,117)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Evansville if…

  • Larger job market (680 employed)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Carmel grew 35.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 35.0% growth in Evansville over the same period.

Carmel, IN

+35.2%

$49,277 (2024) → $66,611 (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: Carmel or Evansville?

Carmel has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $70,408/year, compared to Evansville at $68,388/year — a difference of $2,020 (2.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carmel and Evansville?

Carmel licensed practical nurses earn $33.85/hr while Evansville hygienists earn $32.87/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carmel and Evansville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carmel = $77,117, Evansville = $74,718), job availability (15 vs 680 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $56,467 in Carmel and $53,431 in Evansville. The Carmel area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AM

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