Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Fort Wayne, IN: $32.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Fort Wayne, IN runs $32.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,267 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Fort Wayne's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,366 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is projected to be $32.34, which is slightly below the national median of $32.73. This hourly rate can significantly benefit those seeking part-time or per-diem work, allowing for flexible schedules that are often essential in nursing settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and physician offices. For licensed practical nurses working three days a week, the hourly rate translates to approximately $2,020 weekly before taxes, enabling a reasonable standard of living in an area with a cost of living index of 92.572. Furthermore, the hourly rate range for LPNs in Fort Wayne begins at about $26.01 for entry-level positions and can reach up to $38.52 for higher earners, reflecting a diverse range of opportunities depending on experience and workplace demands.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.01 | $208.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.94 | $247.51 |
| Median (P50) | $32.34 | $258.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.99 | $295.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.52 | $308.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Wayne
Based on $32.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.34/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Wayne, IN can expect to earn approximately $67,276 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,813. With a cost-of-living index of 92.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Wayne.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Wayne
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,293.77 | $5,606 | $67,276 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $776.26 | $3,364 | $40,366 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $517.51 | $2,243 | $26,910 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Fort Wayne) | $32.34 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Fort Wayne, IN earn a median of $67,267 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.18% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.00% below the Indiana state average of $68,640.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.34/hr = $40,366/year (purchasing power: $43,605).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,276/year (purchasing power: $72,674).
CoL index: 92.572 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+54.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Fort Wayne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Fort Wayne grew 38.3% from $22.12/hr (2019) to $30.60/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.19/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Wayne metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Fort Wayne
When considering the earning potential for part-time licensed practical nurses, those working a typical schedule of three days a week (24 hours total) could expect to take home approximately $50,000 annually before taxes, which remains a competitive wage compared to full-time counterparts. Per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Fort Wayne usually falls between $28-$42 per hour, while agency LPNs in understaffed facilities may command up to $60 per hour, showcasing variation in rates influenced by employer type and demand. It's essential to understand that hourly wages often differ across workplaces, such as long-term care, home health, and assisted living facilities, compelling some LPNs to accept lower pay for roles that include benefits like health insurance. Effective negotiation strategies can be key in these professions; familiarity with the hourly market rates and the specific needs of potential employers can greatly enhance your chances of securing a more favorable arrangement.
More salary data for Fort Wayne, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Fort Wayne in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Fort Wayne?
Are licensed practical nurses in Fort Wayne paid hourly or salary?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for licensed practical nurses in Fort Wayne. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov