Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Fort Wayne, IN: $67,267 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Fort Wayne, IN earns a median $67,267/year (≈ $32.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Fort Wayne's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $72,665 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Wayne, Indiana, licensed practical nurse salaries project a median annual figure of $67,267 by 2026, slightly below the national median of $68,071. Within the local market, annual compensation ranges from $54,108 at the 10th percentile to $80,110 at the 90th percentile. This information is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, highlighting the importance of the setting in which LPNs operate. Skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest salaries, which is pivotal since many LPNs in the area choose to work in long-term care rather than home health or clinic environments—factors that strongly influence pay structures.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,108 | $26.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,340 | $30.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,267 | $32.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,939 | $36.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,110 | $38.52 |
Median Salary Position
1.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Wayne
In Fort Wayne, IN, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,002 (2026 est.). At $67,267, the local median is 1.18% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Fort Wayne: You'd be above the median
How Fort Wayne Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Fort Wayne median: $67,267/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Wayne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $68,640 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -1.18% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Wayne has a cost of living 7.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Wayne, IN has a cost-of-living index of 92.572 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $67,267 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,665 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.02% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,020
2025 BLS Actual
$63,640
2026 Current Est.
$67,267
2019–2027 Growth
+54.5%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,020 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,267 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,102 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Wayne metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 38.3% from $46,020 (2019) to $63,640 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,102 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,082 (54.50%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $54,108 – $64,340 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,340 – $67,267 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,267 – $76,939 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,939 – $80,110 |
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 Fort Wayne
Analyzing Fort Wayne's job market reveals that approximately 1,200 licensed practical nurses are employed locally, reflecting a stable demand for their services. The city's cost-of-living index stands at 92.572, indicating a lower-than-average expense compared to the national average. This economic backdrop enhances the purchasing power of LPNs despite their salaries being at a slight deficit compared to national trends. The highest wages in the area often stem from skilled nursing facilities, with additional incentives such as shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and increased pay for weekend or holiday shifts. To optimize earnings in this market, LPNs should consider specializing in long-term care environments and seeking certification opportunities, particularly as advancements in nursing practices can open doors to more lucrative positions and career paths, including LPN-to-RN programs.
More salary data for Fort Wayne, 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 $63,640 for licensed practical nursesin the Fort Wayne 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