Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Indianapolis, IN: $34.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Indianapolis, IN runs $34.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,030 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Indianapolis's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.7, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,621 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Indianapolis, the licensed practical nurse hourly rate is projected to be $34.15 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $32.73 per hour. This competitive rate opens up a range of opportunities for part-time and per-diem roles in various healthcare settings, such as skilled nursing facilities, home health care, and physician's offices. For LPNs working part-time, typically three days a week, this hourly pay translates to a solid income, while those in per-diem positions can benefit from flexibility, earning rates that often fluctuate widely depending on demand. The hourly wage for LPNs in the city ranges from $26.95 for entry-level positions to $39.21 for the most experienced professionals, reflecting the diverse career pathways available in the nursing field as they navigate through settings like hospice homes or correctional facilities.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.95 | $215.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.08 | $256.64 |
| Median (P50) | $34.15 | $273.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.62 | $300.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.21 | $313.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Indianapolis
Based on $34.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.15/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Indianapolis, IN can expect to earn approximately $71,035 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,982. With a cost-of-living index of 95.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Indianapolis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Indianapolis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,366.07 | $5,920 | $71,035 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $819.64 | $3,552 | $42,621 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $546.43 | $2,368 | $28,414 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Indianapolis) | $34.15 |
| 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 Indianapolis, IN earn a median of $71,030 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.35% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 3.50% above the Indiana state average of $68,628.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.15/hr = $42,621/year (purchasing power: $44,538).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,035/year (purchasing power: $74,230).
CoL index: 95.696 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.15/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+59.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Indianapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.10/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Indianapolis grew 42.3% from $22.70/hr (2019) to $32.31/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.10/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 Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis
For part-time licensed practical nurses, working 24 hours a week can yield a substantial income without the commitment of a full-time position. At $34.15 an hour, this equates to an annual take-home of approximately $42,200, which can be quite advantageous, especially in a city like Indianapolis where the cost of living is somewhat lower than the national average. Additionally, wages can vary significantly based on the type of employer; for instance, LPNs in skilled nursing facilities or home health agencies often earn at the lower end of the scale, while agency and locum tenens LPNs can command higher hourly pay, sometimes reaching up to $45 to $60 per hour. These options present a trade-off: some LPNs may choose a lower hourly rate for positions that offer health benefits, while others might prefer higher pay without those benefits. Effective negotiation, particularly in a competitive job market, can make a considerable difference in securing the desired hourly rate, so understanding the market dynamics in Indianapolis is essential when considering employment opportunities within this nursing specialty.
More salary data for Indianapolis, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Indianapolis. 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