Registered Nurse Salary in Indianapolis, IN
Registered Nurses in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn a median $84,230 a year — 14% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $65,631 take-home, or $5,469 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median registered nurse salary in Indianapolis, IN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,701
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,222
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,221
- Indiana income tax$2,455
- Take-home pay$65,631
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.95% state
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Indianapolis, IN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,160 | $33.25 | $55,473 | $4,623 |
| 25th percentile | $79,080 | $38.02 | $62,159 | $5,180 |
| Median (50th) | $84,230 | $40.50 | $65,631 | $5,469 |
| 75th percentile | $101,970 | $49.02 | $77,587 | $6,466 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,240 | $50.60 | $79,791 | $6,649 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Indiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $84,230 buys in Indianapolis, IN
Prices in Indianapolis, IN are 4.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 11% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median registered nurse's $65,631 take-home pay has the buying power of $68,582 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Registered Nurse jobs are about as common in Indianapolis, IN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.07).
Best-paying cities for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Indianapolis, IN ranks #290 of 370 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $216,740 | $142,511 | $129,059 |
| 2 | Vallejo, CA | $203,290 | $134,031 | $123,555 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa, CA | $174,550 | $116,298 | $107,899 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $171,460 | $114,514 | $107,353 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $186,610 | $123,394 | $106,730 |
| 6 | Santa Cruz, CA | $170,960 | $114,225 | $103,939 |
| 7 | Yuba City, CA | $149,320 | $101,728 | $97,597 |
| 8 | Olympia, WA | $125,020 | $96,717 | $93,293 |
| 290 | Indianapolis, IN | $84,230 | $65,631 | $68,582 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 370 metros →
Registered Nurse salaries elsewhere in Indiana
- South Bend, IN — $93,540
- Elkhart, IN — $88,100
- Terre Haute, IN — $81,550
- Kokomo, IN — $83,370
- Evansville, IN — $83,820
- Muncie, IN — $79,500
- Michigan City, IN — $82,300
- Lafayette, IN — $80,790
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Indianapolis, IN?
The median registered nurse salary in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area is $84,230 a year, or about $40.50 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $79,080 and $101,970.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Indianapolis, IN?
On the median $84,230 salary, a single filer living in Indiana takes home about $65,631 a year ($5,469 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,455 in Indiana taxes in 2026.
Is Indianapolis, IN a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 14% below the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 4.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $68,582 would in a typical U.S. city. Indianapolis, IN ranks #290 of 370 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse afford rent in Indianapolis, IN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Indianapolis, IN is $1,242 a month ($1,454 for two bedrooms) — 23% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Indianapolis, IN
- Anesthesiologist — $239,200+
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- General Internal Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- Family Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- Emergency Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- Pediatricians, General — $170,020
- Dentists, General — $166,120
- Pharmacist — $151,050
- Physician Assistant — $131,950
- Nurse Practitioner — $130,460
- Veterinarian — $127,850
- Physical Therapist — $103,770