Registered Nurses in Indiana. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
The median Registered Nurse in Indiana earned $80,740 in 2024, about 15% below the US median of $94,511. That gap is real, but Indiana's cost of living runs roughly 9% below the national average, which closes it considerably. After adjusting for what the money actually buys, the in-state figure lands closer to $88,600 in national-baseline dollars, a difference of around $6,000 rather than $13,700.
The spread between low and high earners is moderate. Nurses at the 10th percentile earned $63,720; those at the 90th earned $103,820. Top earners make about 1.6 times what bottom earners make. That is a tighter range than we see in some professional occupations, which reflects how nursing pay is often structured around shift differentials, certifications, and unit type rather than the wide title variation you get in, say, software or finance.
The average wage of $85,850 sits above the median of $80,740. A smaller group of higher-earning nurses, likely those in advanced practice roles or management, pull the average up. For most of the 68,950 Registered Nurses working in Indiana, the median is the more useful reference point.
BLS projects employment in this occupation to grow 4.9% between 2024 and 2034, which falls into the average outlook category. That pace is steady rather than fast, so Indiana nurses entering the field or changing employers are unlikely to face a tight job market, but they are also unlikely to see the kind of demand-driven wage acceleration that faster-growing roles can produce.
Salary distribution
Where Indiana registered nurses fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $78,750 and $100,410, with a median of $83,500.
Registered Nurses in Indiana: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 22 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $72,311. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 9 | $59,155 |
| Level II — qualified | 10 | $82,118 |
| Level III — experienced | 3 | $85,821 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Registered Nurses in Indiana. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westways Staffing Services, Inc. | ICU Nurse | 10 | $59,155 |
| Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Inc. | Staff RN | 4 | $82,118 |
| Deaconess Hospital, Inc. | Outpatient Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner | 2 | $110,486 |
| Insight Global, LLC | RN Float Pool “ Bachelors Degree Nursing | 2 | $85,821 |
| Beacon Health System, Inc. | Registered Nurse | 1 | $69,555 |
| Franciscan Alliance Inc. | Infection Preventionist | 1 | $67,725 |
| Indiana University Health, Inc. | Clinical Nurse - Resource | 1 | $115,315 |
| Universal Home Healthcare of Indiana, Inc. | Registered Nurse Supervisor | 1 | $80,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Outpatient Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at Deaconess Hospital, Inc.$117,770EvansvilleWage Level IIDecided Mar 17, 2026I-200-26069-693491
- Staff RN at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Inc.$82,118MishawakaWage Level IIDecided Feb 12, 2026I-200-26036-623362
- Registered Nurse at Beacon Health System, Inc.$69,555South BendWage Level IDecided Jan 8, 2026I-200-25365-519083
- Clinical Nurse - Resource at Indiana University Health, Inc.$115,315IndianapolisWage Level IIDecided Nov 7, 2025I-200-25305-356151
- Registered Nurse Fellowship at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Inc.$82,118MishawakaWage Level IIDecided Aug 18, 2025I-200-25223-234614
- Infection Preventionist at Franciscan Alliance Inc.$67,725IndianapolisWage Level IDecided Aug 13, 2025I-200-25218-226078
- Perioperative Nurse at Westways Staffing Services, Inc.$75,067BloomingtonWage Level IIDecided Aug 1, 2025I-200-25207-202049
- ICU Nurse at Westways Staffing Services, Inc.$59,155MuncieWage Level IDecided Jun 6, 2025I-200-25151-037929
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Registered Nurses pay by experience level in Indiana
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Registered Nurses specialties in Indiana
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 10 certified offers. The most common variant is ICU Nurse at a median of $59,155.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICU Nurse | Westways Staffing Services, Inc. | 7 | $59,155 |
| Registered Nurse (Oncology) | Westways Staffing Services, Inc. | 3 | $68,453 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Registered Nurses in Indiana, by industry
Median offered wage across 22 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $59,155.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | Westways Staffing Services, Inc. | 13 | $59,155 |
| Healthcare | Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Inc. | 9 | $82,118 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Indiana over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- 02
Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- 03
Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- 04
Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- 05
Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- 06
Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
- 07
Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.
- 08
Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for registered nurses in major Indiana metropolitan areas.
- Indianapolis$84,230
Compare Registered Nurses pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Indiana with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in Indiana?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in Indiana is $83,500.
- How does Indiana compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The Indiana median is -15.1% versus the BLS national figure of $98,331.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in Indiana?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $66,750 and the 90th-percentile at $105,750, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Registered Nurses a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Registered Nurses?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.