How Much Does a CNA Make in Indiana in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Indiana, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Indiana · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in Indiana earns about $18.43 per hour ($38,330 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That runs about 9% below the national figure of $42,260, and Indiana ranks 38th among 51 states and D.C. for CNA pay. Even so, the job is common work in the state: 33,640 CNAs are currently employed across Indiana's hospitals, nursing homes, and care facilities.
How much does a CNA make in Indiana?
CNA pay by career stage in Indiana
| Career stage | Indiana | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $35,390$17.01 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $37,020$17.80 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $38,330$18.43 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $44,420$21.36 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $46,890$22.54 an hour | $51,980$24.99 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
CNA pay growth in Indiana
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in Indiana · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
Indiana CNA pay has climbed steadily over the past decade, from $23,530 in 2015 to $38,330 in 2025, a rise of 63%. That's close to the national decade rise of 64%, so Indiana's pay growth has kept pace with the rest of the country even as it started from a lower base. In dollar terms, that's an increase of $14,800 over ten years. Pay has been moving upward for CNAs entering the field now, though nothing about future raises is guaranteed.
CNA salary by city in Indiana
Pay varies widely across Indiana. The Elgin-Naperville market, part of the Chicago metro area that extends into northwest Indiana, posts the state's highest figures at $46,940 a year ($22.57 an hour). Indianapolis, the state's largest job market, pays closer to $38,880 a year, and Fort Wayne sits near $37,210. Terre Haute reports the lowest pay in the data, at $36,360. That's a spread of $10,580 between the top and bottom of the list, which tracks differences in local living costs more than anything else.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Indiana | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naperville metro incl. Elgin | $46,940 | $22.57 | +22% | 45,850 |
| 2 | Jefferson County | $42,220 | $20.30 | +10% | 7,650 |
| 3 | Indianapolis | $38,880 | $18.69 | +1% | 9,730 |
| 4 | South Bend metro incl. Mishawaka | $38,550 | $18.54 | +1% | 1,520 |
| 5 | Michigan City metro incl. La Porte | $38,400 | $18.46 | 0% | 340 |
| 6 | Columbus | $38,260 | $18.39 | 0% | 230 |
| 7 | Kokomo | $38,250 | $18.39 | 0% | 460 |
| 8 | Elkhart metro incl. Goshen | $38,150 | $18.34 | 0% | 840 |
| 9 | Lafayette metro incl. West Lafayette | $37,760 | $18.16 | -1% | 770 |
| 10 | Fort Wayne | $37,210 | $17.89 | -3% | 3,610 |
| 11 | Evansville | $37,180 | $17.87 | -3% | 2,030 |
| 12 | Muncie | $37,080 | $17.83 | -3% | 700 |
| 13 | Bloomington | $36,820 | $17.70 | -4% | 830 |
| 14 | Terre Haute | $36,360 | $17.48 | -5% | 720 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Indiana typical pay $38,330
How Indiana compares with nearby states
Among Indiana's neighbors, Illinois pays CNAs the most, at $45,960 a year, about 20% above Indiana's figure. Kentucky sits closest to Indiana's rate, at $38,370, while Michigan and Ohio run slightly higher, at $39,570 and $39,010. A CNA licensed in Indiana can often test or transfer certification into a nearby state, so it's worth knowing how pay compares just across the border.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana | $38,330 | baseline |
| Illinois | $45,960 | +20% |
| Michigan | $39,570 | +3% |
| Ohio | $39,010 | +2% |
| Kentucky | $38,370 | 0% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Indiana a good state for CNAs?
CNA pay in Indiana sits below the middle of the national table: typical pay is $38,330 a year, 9% below the national figure, ranking 38th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Indiana, about 11 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.3. CNA jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country. On pay alone, Indiana ranks below most states, though typical pay here has risen 63% over the past decade.
Summary
CNA pay in Indiana currently runs about $38,330 a year ($18.43 an hour), up 63% over the past decade. Anyone considering the role can check Indiana's state registry page for certification and renewal requirements, then look at city-level pages for local figures in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and other Indiana markets.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Indiana?
- A typical CNA in Indiana earns about **$18.43 an hour**, or **$38,330 a year**, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That's below the national figure of $42,260 a year.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Indiana?
- CNAs in Indiana typically earn **$18.43 an hour**. Entry-level positions typically offer around $17.01 an hour, while experienced CNAs often earn upwards of **$22.54 an hour**.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Indiana?
- Entry-level CNAs in Indiana typically start around **$17.01 an hour**, or about **$35,390 a year**. Pay rises with experience; the next tier up typically earns around $17.80 an hour ($37,020 a year).
- Which city in Indiana pays CNAs the most?
- The **Elgin-Naperville** market, part of the Chicago metro area that extends into northwest Indiana, reports the highest CNA pay in the data, at **$46,940 a year** ($22.57 an hour). Indianapolis follows at $38,880 a year, while Terre Haute sits at the low end, at $36,360.
- Is CNA pay in Indiana higher than the national rate?
- No. CNA pay in Indiana runs about **9% below** the national figure. Indiana's typical pay is **$38,330 a year** compared with $42,260 nationally, and the state ranks 38th out of 51 states and D.C. for CNA pay.