How Much Does an LPN Make in Indiana in 2026?

A typical LPN in Indiana earns about $31.60 per hour ($65,720 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). That breaks down to roughly $5,477 a month and $1,264 a week, both calculated from the annual figure. Pay varies by city, employer, and experience, but this figure represents where most LPNs in the state land.

Indiana's typical pay sits about 2% above the national figure of $64,400 a year ($30.96 an hour). That places the state 21st out of 51 states and territories ranked by LPN pay. Roughly 14,480 LPNs work in Indiana, a workforce large enough to make these figures a reliable benchmark for most job seekers in the state.

Entry-level positions in Indiana typically offer around $24.30 an hour ($50,550 a year), based on the lowest range of reported wages. Pay tends to rise from there as LPNs gain experience, moving toward the typical figure of $31.60 an hour within a few years. New graduates should expect starting offers closer to this entry-level range rather than the state figure quoted elsewhere.

Experienced LPNs in Indiana often earn upwards of $35.30 an hour ($73,430 a year), and the top 10% of earners make over $37.13 an hour ($77,220 a year). That's a spread of $26,670 between entry-level and top pay. The gap usually reflects years of experience, work setting, and city, with hospital and specialty roles often paying more than smaller clinics.

Indiana LPN pay has risen steadily over the past decade, climbing from $40,660 in 2015 to $65,720 in 2025. That's a gain of $25,060, or 62%, over ten years. The increase wasn't perfectly even; the biggest single jump came between 2021 and 2022, when typical pay rose from $48,070 to $56,980.

Nationally, LPN pay rose 49% over the same ten years, meaning Indiana's increase has outpaced the country as a whole. For someone starting an LPN career in Indiana now, this history shows pay has moved up consistently, though future increases aren't guaranteed. Current figures offer the clearest picture of what to expect today.

Pay runs highest in the Elgin metro area, where LPNs typically earn $78,070 a year ($37.54 an hour), about 19% above the state figure. Kokomo follows at $67,240 a year, and the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood metro area pays $67,200 a year. These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city center.

Columbus pays the least among Indiana's tracked metro areas, with LPNs typically earning $62,400 a year ($30.00 an hour), a spread of $15,670 between the highest- and lowest-paying areas. The Elgin metro area also has the largest LPN workforce in the state, with about 11,420 workers. Higher pay in areas like Elgin usually tracks a higher cost of living, so take-home value can look different than the raw figures suggest.

Indiana's neighbors show a range of pay levels. Illinois pays LPNs more, with a typical wage of $75,000 a year, about 14% above Indiana's figure. Michigan pays close to the same, at $65,460 a year. Kentucky and Ohio both pay less, with Kentucky's $60,460 a year running 8% below Indiana's figure. LPN licenses can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, which can widen job options for those near a state line.

Indiana LPNs typically earn $65,720 a year ($31.60 an hour), a figure that has climbed 62% over the past decade. Pay varies by city and experience level, with entry-level positions starting lower and experienced LPNs in top-paying areas earning considerably more. Readers considering this career path should check Indiana's state licensing or nursing registry page for requirements, and compare city-level figures for a clearer picture of local pay before making a decision.