Healthcare Recruiting
Registered Nurse Salary in Indiana 2026: City-by-City Pay Data
Registered Nurse Salary in Indiana (2026): City-by-City Pay Data
The average registered nurse salary in Indiana in 2026 is $65,100/year ($31.30/hour). Indianapolis is the primary market, dominated by IU Health, Ascension, and Community Health Network. Indiana's lower cost of living makes its nursing salaries competitive in real purchasing power terms.
RN Salary by City in Indiana
| City / Metro | Avg Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis Metro | $70,200 | IU Health, Ascension St. Vincent, Community Health Network |
| Fort Wayne | $63,500 | Parkview Health — strong NE Indiana regional system |
| Evansville | $61,800 | Deaconess Health, Ascension St. Vincent — SW Indiana |
| South Bend | $63,000 | Beacon Health System, Memorial Hospital |
| Hammond / NW Indiana | $67,000 | Franciscan Health, Community Healthcare — Chicago suburb premium |
Highest-Paying Nursing Specialties in Indiana
| Specialty | Avg Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| CRNA | $190,000 |
| Transplant RN | $88,000 |
| ICU / Critical Care RN | $82,000 |
| OR / Surgical RN | $78,000 |
| Emergency RN | $74,000 |
Top Indiana Healthcare Employers for RNs
- Indiana University Health — largest IN health system; Riley Children's and IU Simon Cancer Center command specialty premiums
- Ascension St. Vincent — statewide Catholic system; consistent demand across regions
- Community Health Network — large Indianapolis community system with strong benefits
- Parkview Health (Fort Wayne) — NE Indiana market leader; competitive pay relative to regional cost of living
- Franciscan Health (Hammond / Indianapolis) — NW Indiana with Chicago market proximity premium
Compact License Status
Indiana is an NLC compact state. RNs with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Indiana without a separate endorsement.
Indiana RN Job Market Outlook
Indiana's nursing job market is stable with consistent demand across specialties. Travel RN rates in Indianapolis run $1,600–$2,100/week. NW Indiana (Hammond, Munster) benefits from Chicago market proximity — nurses here often earn a Chicago-adjacent premium while benefiting from Indiana's significantly lower cost of living and housing.
Related: RN Salary Ohio 2026, RN Salary Illinois 2026, Indiana RN License Guide.
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