Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Indiana: $69,365 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Indiana's 43 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $69,365/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Indiana sits at BEA RPP 91.3 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $75,975 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Kokomo ($67,240), Indianapolis ($67,200), Carmel ($66,611).
In 2026, the average median salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Indiana is projected to be $69,366, slightly above the national median of $68,071, making it approximately 1.9% higher than the national average. The salary range varies significantly across the state, with Kokomo leading at $71,073, while Munster offers the lowest pay at $63,148, a difference of $7,925. This disparity is influenced by factors such as cost of living, local healthcare demands, and the concentration of healthcare facilities. Indiana has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that LPNs must navigate, which can affect job prospects and salary potential. The demand for LPNs in Indiana is expected to drive growth, with a projected annual growth rate of 5.70%, indicating a healthy job market for aspiring nurses. The top five cities for LPN salaries in 2026 are Kokomo ($71,073), Indianapolis ($71,030), Carmel ($70,408), Elkhart ($69,614), and Greenwood ($69,556). Understanding the local job market dynamics and salary variations can help those interested in pursuing a career as an LPN in Indiana to make informed decisions about their education and career paths.
Indiana Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Indiana: $40,927 (lowest entry-level) to $92,262 (highest top earner)
Indiana vs National Average
Indiana licensed practical nurses earn 1.90% more than the national median (+$1,294/year difference).
Indiana Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Indiana range from $54,242 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $80,615 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $69,365. The Indiana median is $1,294 above the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $33.35/hr. Approximately 9,110 licensed practical nurses are employed across 43 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$46,643
2025 BLS Actual
$65,625
2026 Current Est.
$69,365
2019–2027 Growth
+57.2%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Indiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,643 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,338 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,812 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,757 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,266 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,625 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,365 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,319 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Indiana metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 40.7% from $46,643 (2019) to $65,625 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,319 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,676 (57.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Indiana 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Indiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Indiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Munster | $63,148 |
| Avon | $64,511 |
| Brownsburg | $64,972 |
| Shelbyville | $65,367 |
| Crown Point | $65,387 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Indiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Indiana cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kokomo | $71,073 | 89.648 | $79,280 |
| Muncie | $67,997 | 88.148 | $77,140 |
| Carmel | $70,408 | 91.3 | $77,117 |
| Elkhart | $69,614 | 90.325 | $77,071 |
| Greenwood | $69,556 | 91.3 | $76,184 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Indiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $54,242 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $69,365 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $80,615 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Indiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 43 Cities in Indiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kokomo | $71,073 |
| 2 | Indianapolis | $71,030 |
| 3 | Carmel | $70,408 |
| 4 | Elkhart | $69,614 |
| 5 | Greenwood | $69,556 |
| 6 | Noblesville | $69,393 |
| 7 | Michigan City | $68,969 |
| 8 | South Bend | $68,959 |
| 9 | Lafayette | $68,874 |
| 10 | Gary | $68,719 |
| 11 | Goshen | $68,631 |
| 12 | Fishers | $68,469 |
| 13 | Evansville | $68,388 |
| 14 | Mishawaka | $68,073 |
| 15 | Muncie | $67,997 |
| 16 | Plainfield | $67,821 |
| 17 | West Lafayette | $67,797 |
| 18 | Valparaiso | $67,699 |
| 19 | Westfield | $67,480 |
| 20 | Franklin | $67,469 |
| 21 | Schererville | $67,320 |
| 22 | Fort Wayne | $67,267 |
| 23 | Anderson | $67,084 |
| 24 | Bloomington | $66,802 |
| 25 | Richmond | $66,788 |
| 26 | Hammond | $66,757 |
| 27 | Marion | $66,330 |
| 28 | Portage | $66,293 |
| 29 | East Chicago | $66,260 |
| 30 | New Albany | $66,250 |
| 31 | Jeffersonville | $66,122 |
| 32 | Terre Haute | $66,020 |
| 33 | Columbus | $65,957 |
| 34 | Zionsville | $65,936 |
| 35 | Hobart | $65,909 |
| 36 | Merrillville | $65,834 |
| 37 | Granger | $65,813 |
| 38 | Lawrence | $65,659 |
| 39 | Crown Point | $65,387 |
| 40 | Shelbyville | $65,367 |
| 41 | Brownsburg | $64,972 |
| 42 | Avon | $64,511 |
| 43 | Munster | $63,148 |
More Indiana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Indiana cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Compare Cities in Indiana
View all comparisons →Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Indiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Indiana?
How does Indiana licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Indiana?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Indiana?
Which Indiana city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across Indiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 43 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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