Nurse Practitioner Salary in Indiana: $132,211 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Indiana's 43 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse practitioner pay sits at $132,211/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1171. Because Indiana sits at BEA RPP 91.3 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $144,809 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Indianapolis ($130,460), Carmel ($129,317), Greenwood ($127,752).
In Indiana, the projected average median salary for nurse practitioners in 2026 is $132,211, which is 3.4% lower than the national median of $136,864. The highest paying city is Indianapolis with a salary of $134,961, while Munster has the lowest at $120,143, creating a salary gap of $14,818. This difference can be attributed to various factors, including the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban versus rural areas. Indiana's specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws allow nurse practitioners considerable autonomy in their practice, contributing to the demand for their services. With an anticipated annual growth rate of 3.45%, the job market for nurse practitioners remains strong. Key areas such as Indianapolis, Carmel, Greenwood, Noblesville, and Elkhart are projected to be the top cities for employment, with salaries ranging from $134,961 in Indianapolis to $131,578 in Elkhart. As healthcare needs continue to evolve, the demand for nurse practitioners in Indiana is expected to keep rising, underscoring the importance of this role in the state’s healthcare system.
Indiana Nurse Practitioner Salary Range
Overall salary range in Indiana: $83,370 (lowest entry-level) to $178,555 (highest top earner)
Indiana vs National Average
Indiana nurse practitioners earn 3.4% less than the national median ($-4,653/year difference).
Indiana Nurse Practitioner Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Practitioner salaries in Indiana range from $106,127 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $160,132 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $132,211. The Indiana median is $4,653 below the US national median of $136,864. The average hourly rate is $63.56/hr. Approximately 5,460 nurse practitioners are employed across 43 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$107,678
2025 BLS Actual
$127,802
2026 Current Est.
$132,211
2019–2027 Growth
+27.0%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Indiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,678 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,026 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,753 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,075 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,969 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,046 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,802 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,211 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,772 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Indiana metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 18.7% from $107,678 (2019) to $127,802 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,772 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,094 (27.02%) 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 3.45% 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 | $120,143 |
| Avon | $122,735 |
| Brownsburg | $123,612 |
| Shelbyville | $124,366 |
| Crown Point | $124,403 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Practitioners in Indiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Indiana cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse practitioners.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carmel | $133,778 | 91.3 | $146,526 |
| Elkhart | $131,578 | 90.325 | $145,672 |
| Kokomo | $130,575 | 89.648 | $145,653 |
| Greenwood | $132,159 | 91.3 | $144,752 |
| Noblesville | $132,025 | 91.3 | $144,606 |
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) | $106,127 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $132,211 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $160,132 |
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 | Indianapolis | $134,961 |
| 2 | Carmel | $133,778 |
| 3 | Greenwood | $132,159 |
| 4 | Noblesville | $132,025 |
| 5 | Elkhart | $131,578 |
| 6 | Bloomington | $131,506 |
| 7 | Fort Wayne | $131,433 |
| 8 | Lafayette | $131,195 |
| 9 | Gary | $130,742 |
| 10 | Kokomo | $130,575 |
| 11 | South Bend | $130,575 |
| 12 | Fishers | $130,266 |
| 13 | Columbus | $130,119 |
| 14 | Goshen | $129,720 |
| 15 | West Lafayette | $129,144 |
| 16 | Plainfield | $129,033 |
| 17 | Mishawaka | $128,898 |
| 18 | Michigan City | $128,816 |
| 19 | Valparaiso | $128,800 |
| 20 | Westfield | $128,385 |
| 21 | Franklin | $128,365 |
| 22 | Schererville | $128,081 |
| 23 | Evansville | $127,709 |
| 24 | Anderson | $127,629 |
| 25 | Richmond | $127,068 |
| 26 | Hammond | $127,010 |
| 27 | Muncie | $126,716 |
| 28 | Marion | $126,197 |
| 29 | Portage | $126,125 |
| 30 | East Chicago | $126,064 |
| 31 | New Albany | $126,045 |
| 32 | Jeffersonville | $125,801 |
| 33 | Zionsville | $125,447 |
| 34 | Hobart | $125,396 |
| 35 | Merrillville | $125,254 |
| 36 | Granger | $125,214 |
| 37 | Lawrence | $124,920 |
| 38 | Terre Haute | $124,523 |
| 39 | Crown Point | $124,403 |
| 40 | Shelbyville | $124,366 |
| 41 | Brownsburg | $123,612 |
| 42 | Avon | $122,735 |
| 43 | Munster | $120,143 |
More Indiana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse practitioner hourly pay in Indiana cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse practitioners.
Compare Cities in Indiana
View all comparisons →Explore More Nurse Practitioner Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Indiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse practitioners in Indiana?
How does Indiana nurse practitioner pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse practitioner salary in Indiana?
How many nurse practitioners are employed in Indiana?
Which Indiana city offers the best value for nurse practitioners?
Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.
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 3.45% 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 nurse practitioner compensation across Indiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 43 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse practitionerscontribute 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 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov