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2026 Salary — Indiana
Updated April 29, 2026

Registered Nurse Salary in Indiana: $80K Median

Registered Nurses in Indiana earn between $59K and $123K per year.

That's -7% below the US national median.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Registered Nurse salary in Indiana is $80,045 per year — -7% below the US national median of $86,070. Salaries range from $59,260 (entry, 25th percentile) to $123,392 (90th percentile). Indiana's cost-of-living index is 91. State income tax applies.

Median
$80,045
+560.0% YoY
Entry
$60,450
Experienced
$97,650
Top 10%
$123,392

About Registered Nurses in Indiana

Registered nurses (RNs) provide direct patient care, administer medications, coordinate care plans, and educate patients about health conditions.

Hot 2026 Skills

TelehealthEpic EHRBSN credentialSpecialty certificationsNLC compact license

ATS Keywords

patient caremedication administrationEHR (Epic, Cerner)critical thinkingBLSIV therapypatient education

Registered Nurse Salary in Indiana Metros

Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay calculator.

CityMedian
Indianapolis$80,045

How to Negotiate Your Registered Nurse Salary in Indiana

Walk-away anchor: $72,768.

Leverage Points

  • Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
  • Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
  • Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
  • Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage

Negotiate Beyond Base

Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend

Registered Nurse Salary FAQ — Indiana

What is the average Registered Nurse salary in Indiana?
The average Registered Nurse salary in Indiana is $80,045 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $59,260 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $123,392 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.
How does Registered Nurse pay in Indiana compare to the US average?
Registered Nurses in Indiana earn approximately 7% less than the US national median ($86,070 nationally vs $80,045 in Indiana). Indiana's cost-of-living index of 91 amplifies the real purchasing power.
Did Registered Nurse salaries in Indiana increase in 2026?
Yes — Registered Nurse salaries in Indiana grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $12,128 in 2025 to $80,045 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Telehealth and Epic EHR demand.
Which Indiana cities pay Registered Nurses the most?
Top-paying Indiana metros for Registered Nurses: Indianapolis ($80K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Registered Nurses in Indiana?
RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses. Indiana's top industries include Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals (Lilly), Logistics, and the state's unemployment rate is 3.7% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
Does Indiana have state income tax?
Yes, Indiana has state income tax. This affects take-home pay — at $80,045, expect 4-7% effective state tax depending on filing status. See city pages for detailed take-home calculations.
What skills are most in demand for Registered Nurses in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: Telehealth, Epic EHR, BSN credential, Specialty certifications, NLC compact license. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Indiana employers.
How can I increase my Registered Nurse salary in Indiana?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Beyond base, negotiate: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%). Walk-away anchor for Indiana: $72,768.

Methodology

Indiana Registered Nurse salary is the BLS national median ($86,070) adjusted by Indiana's state multiplier (0.93×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.

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