Travel Nurse Pay in Indiana (2026)
Indiana combines low wages by national standards with a very low state income tax — which makes the take-home math more interesting than the gross numbers suggest. Here are the verified BLS figures and what contracts typically pay.
By the NursePayLab editorial team · Updated $1
Key numbers at a glance
| Measure | Figure | What it means for travelers |
|---|---|---|
| RN employment (Indiana) | 68,980 | Size of the staff market behind you (per BLS OEWS, May 2025) |
| Median RN wage | $83,500/yr ($40.14/hr) | Staff baseline that anchors hospital bill rates |
| Mean RN wage | $89,150/yr ($42.86/hr) | Includes the experienced-nurse band travelers replace |
| Entry RN (10th pct) | $66,750/yr | Floor of the market |
Travel nurse pay in Indiana: the numbers
Indiana employed 68,980 registered nurses as of May 2025, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. The median RN wage was $83,500 ($40.14/hr) per year with a mean of $89,150 ($42.86/hr) — the mean sitting well above the median signals a long tail of higher-paid specialty and metro positions. The 10th percentile starts at $66,750 and the 90th percentile tops out at $105,750.
The 75th percentile at $100,410 is your traveler-relevant number: that is the experienced-nurse wage band Indianapolis and Fort Wayne hospitals are covering when they call agencies. Indiana's staff wages run below coastal states, which pulls bill rates down too — but the offset is a 2.95% flat state income tax in 2026 and compact licensure, both of which protect your take-home and your scheduling flexibility.
Ranges below are hedged planning figures; Indianapolis ICU and L&D lines move with hospital census, so confirm live quotes with your recruiter.
| Measure | Figure | What it means for travelers |
|---|---|---|
| RN employment (Indiana) | 68,980 | Size of the staff market behind you (per BLS OEWS, May 2025) |
| Median RN wage | $83,500/yr ($40.14/hr) | Staff baseline that anchors hospital bill rates |
| Mean RN wage | $89,150/yr ($42.86/hr) | Includes the experienced-nurse band travelers replace |
| Entry RN (10th pct) | $66,750/yr | Floor of the market |
| Experienced RN (75th–90th pct) | $100,410–$105,750/yr | Where bill rates cluster |
| Typical travel package (hedged) | roughly $2,000–$2,700/week gross | Taxable wage + stipends; varies by specialty and season — verify with recruiters |
| State income tax (2026) | Flat 2.95% + county tax (typically ~0.5%–2%) | Applies to taxable wages only, not stipends |
| Nurse Licensure Compact | Yes — multistate license accepted | Determines how fast you can start |
All BLS figures on this page: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 release (bls.gov/oes). Wage figures are for staff registered nurses (SOC 29-1141), all industries — travel packages are quoted separately and are inherently variable. See the full list on our travel nurse pay by state hub.
How stipends change the math in Indiana
Indiana stipends are set against the federal GSA per-diem tables for the assignment county — Indianapolis caps are decent, smaller cities lower (current tables at gsa.gov/perdiem). Because Indiana's taxable wages run low and its income tax is nearly the lowest in this series, a well-structured Indiana offer converts an unusually high share of its gross into your pocket.
Illustrative math: $25/hr × 36 guaranteed hours = $900/week taxable. Subtract roughly $103 federal, $69 FICA and $27 Indiana tax at a hedged 3% state-plus-county average, leaving about $701 — then add $1,500 housing and $400 M&IE stipends ($1,900 tax-free) for a take-home near $2,601/week, about $72/hour blended. Over a 13-week contract that is roughly $33,800. Punch your actual offer into the take-home calculator, and use the blended rate to compare against higher-gross offers in higher-tax states.
As always, the stipends are tax-free only with a valid tax home and duplicated living expenses — the compliance rule that makes or breaks the entire pay model.
Indiana income tax: 2.95% plus a county layer
Indiana's individual adjusted gross income tax rate is 2.95% for 2026, down from 3.00% in 2025, with further scheduled decreases in later years (per the Indiana Department of Revenue). On top of the state rate, most counties levy a county economic development or option income tax — typically between about 0.5% and 2% depending on the county — withheld where you work. So your effective Indiana marginal rate might be anywhere from roughly 3.5% to 5%. Marion County (Indianapolis) is at the higher end of that band; check your assignment county's current rate with the Indiana DOR. Indiana also has reciprocity with Kentucky, which matters for Louisville-area contracts just across the river.
Tax figures here are 2026 planning rates from official state sources and the Tax Foundation's 2026 tables — confirm your own filing position with the relevant state revenue department or a CPA; this page is not tax advice.
Licensure in Indiana: compact member
Indiana is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. Reside in any compact state with a multistate RN license and you can take Indiana assignments with no separate application — a genuine advantage for travelers building Midwest runs (Indiana pairs naturally with Kentucky, Iowa, Kansas and Wisconsin). One caveat: your multistate license depends on your declared primary residence, so keep your home-state license and driver's license aligned. Verify your privileges through NCSBN before signing. Compact status per the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (ncsbn.org).
Where the demand is in Indiana
Indianapolis is the volume market: IU Health's downtown academic complex (Methodist, University Hospital, Riley), Eskenazi Health and the Community Health Network feed a steady flow of traveler lines, particularly in ICU, NICU and OR. Parkview in Fort Wayne, Deaconess and Ascension in Evansville, and Beacon Health in South Bend round out the regional demand. Indianapolis GSA lodging caps are moderate, and midwestern rents generally let stipends stretch further than they would on the coasts.
Stipend ceilings everywhere follow the federal per-diem tables for your assignment location — gsa.gov/perdiem.
FAQ
How much do travel nurses make in Indiana?
Per BLS OEWS (May 2025), the median staff RN in Indiana earns $83,500/year. Travel packages typically quote $2,000–$2,700/week gross; Indianapolis academic hospitals pay at the top of that band. Verify live offers with recruiters.
Is Indiana a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
Yes — a multistate compact license covers Indiana assignments with no separate state application.
How does Indiana county income tax affect travelers?
Most counties add roughly 0.5%–2% on top of the 2.95% state rate, withheld where you work. Marion County is toward the higher end; check your assignment county with the Indiana DOR.
Are stipends taxed in Indiana?
No — with a valid tax home and duplicated expenses, housing and M&IE stipends stay tax-free; only your taxable wages face the state and county tax.
Why is Indiana's mean RN wage so much higher than its median?
BLS shows a mean of $89,150 against a median of $83,500 (May 2025) — specialty roles in Indianapolis academic systems pull the average up while a broad base of community-hospital jobs sits lower.
What is a good blended rate in Indiana?
An illustrative $2,601/week take-home over 36 hours is about $72/hour blended. Thanks to the low tax, Indiana offers can match higher-gross contracts from high-tax states — always compare after-tax.