Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Elkhart, IN: $69,614 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Elkhart, IN earns a median $69,614/year (≈ $33.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Elkhart's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $77,071 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Elkhart, Indiana, the licensed practical nurse salary is projected to reach a median of $69,614 in 2026, marking a slight increase over the national median of $68,071. The salary range for LPNs in this region spans from $48,643 at the lower end to $79,719 for those positioned at the upper 10%. This income reflects the specific scope-of-practice regulations within Indiana, which allow LPNs to perform tasks like IV therapy and patient assessments. Such responsibilities often correlate with compensation, emphasizing the value placed on the licensed practical nursing role in a community that supports a significant demand for healthcare services.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,643 | $23.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,369 | $29.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,614 | $33.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,324 | $37.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,719 | $38.33 |
Median Salary Position
2.27% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elkhart
In Elkhart, IN, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,076 (2026 est.). At $69,614, the local median is 2.27% above the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Elkhart: You'd be above the median
How Elkhart Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Elkhart median: $69,614/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elkhart Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $68,653 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +2.27% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Elkhart, IN earn a median of $69,614 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.27% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 1.40% above the Indiana state average of $68,653.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elkhart has a cost of living 9.67% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elkhart, IN has a cost-of-living index of 90.325 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $69,614 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,071 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.71% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,260
2025 BLS Actual
$65,860
2026 Current Est.
$69,614
2019–2027 Growth
+82.8%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Elkhart (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,980 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,590 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,614 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,582 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elkhart metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 63.6% from $40,260 (2019) to $65,860 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,582 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,322 (82.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elkhart 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $48,643 – $61,369 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,369 – $69,614 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,614 – $78,324 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,324 – $79,719 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Elkhart
The job market in Elkhart is buoyed by approximately 310 licensed practical nurses currently employed, catering to various healthcare facilities such as skilled nursing homes and home health agencies. With a cost-of-living index sitting at 90.325, nurses can enjoy a relatively high take-home purchasing power compared to many other regions. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the most competitive pay, driven by factors like the intensity of care required and the complexity of patient needs. The disparity in earnings can often be attributed to elements such as shift differentials, certifications in IV therapy, and additional stipends for weekend and holiday shifts, particularly in long-term care settings. For those seeking to enhance their earnings further, pursuing advancement through LPN-to-RN bridge programs or acquiring specialized certifications can significantly impact overall compensation in this vibrant Elkhart healthcare market.
More salary data for Elkhart, 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $65,860 for licensed practical nursesin the Elkhart metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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