There are a variety of factors that affect salaries for any type of career. A nurse practitioner salary is no exception. Whether you are a nurse practitioner or just starting your nursing education, you may wonder how much you can earn as a nurse practitioner. Nursing practitioner’s salaries are affected by a number of factors, one of which is the location in which they practice.
There are a number of options when considering a location. The United States, for instance, offers many states to choose from. Additionally, cities within each state have a wide variety of choices. Those cities can be further subdivided into suburban areas, metropolitan areas, and rural communities. It is important to keep in mind that there are a wide range of salaries in the United States for each state. As you look at each state, you’ll see the salaries differ according to the different cities within it. While comparing nurse practitioner salaries in different cities, it’s important to keep in mind the types of cities and the cost of living in each.
The purpose of this article is to analyze the salaries of nurse practitioners in Indiana. The salary ranges for nurse practitioners in Indiana will also be compared to those in other states. Additionally, we will examine how nurse practitioners’ salaries compare with those of other professions in this state.
Indiana Nurse Practitioner Salary – Starting Out
Nurse practitioners that are just starting their careers are eager to begin their new journey as a respected healthcare provider. The salary they can expect to make starting out may be on their mind. As a new nurse practitioner starting out in Indiana, you can expect to earn a good salary when you are ready to pursue a career in this field. Typically, an entry-level worker is a person who has just graduated from college and has fewer than two to three years experience. A number of factors influence the starting salary of a nurse practitioner, such as the city and the specialty.
The average entry-level nurse practitioner in Indiana makes around $80,803 per year, which amounts to $6,734 per month and $38.85 per hour. For students who just completed an educational program, salaries like these are highly competitive and attractive. These numbers are also appealing for new nurse practitioners when they realize this is the starting pay, and they will be making more than this as they gain more experience working as a nurse practitioner.
| Hourly | $38.85 |
| Monthly | $6,734 |
| Annual | $80,803 |
Indiana Nurse Practitioner Salary – Average
It is important to note that there are a range of circumstances that influence the salary of a nurse practitioner in Indiana, much the same as they do for any other career or job. A number of variables can impact the salary amount, including the type of job, location, years of experience, shift differentials, degree and certification requirements.
On average, an Indiana nurse practitioner makes approximately $115,783. That breaks down to $9,649 per month and $55.66 per hour.
| Hourly | $55.66 |
| Monthly | $9,649 |
| Annual | $115,783 |
Indiana Nurse Practitioner Salary – Years of Experience
In terms of income potential, there is no doubt that the greater experience an individual has in their career, the greater that potential is. This is also true for nurse practitioners. Nurse practitioners with more experience will earn more money. Nurse practitioners’ salaries are highly influenced by the number of years they have worked. Throughout their careers, nurse practitioners develop the skills and judgment needed to make competent clinical decisions. An individual cannot learn the experience that comes from years of on-the-job training and hands-on experience, but that must be gained by experiencing it. Therefore, the more experience a nurse practitioner has, the more valuable they become to the health care system, which is reflected in their salary. Years of experience is an important consideration when analyzing nurse practitioner salaries.
The average entry-level nurse practitioner salary in Indiana is $80,803 per year or $38.85 per hour. A nurse practitioner can earn an average salary of $94,332 or $45.35 an hour after three to five years of practice. The average annual salary for an Indiana nurse practitioner with 20 years of experience is $143,938, which equates to $11,995 per month or $65.00 per hour.
| Years of Experience | Hourly | Monthly | Yearly |
| Starting (Entry-Level) | $38.85 | $8,740 | $80,803 |
| 3-5 Years of Experience | $45.35 | $7,861 | $94,332 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $69.20 | $11,995 | $143.938 |
Indiana Nurse Practitioner Salary – By Practice Setting
In addition to the factors previously discussed, there are a few other factors that influence the pay of nurse practitioners. The first one is the type of setting where the nurse practitioner practices. A nurse practitioner may earn more or less than their counterparts, depending on the kind of environment in which they practice.
Those who wish to work as a nurse practitioner in Indiana can choose from a wide variety of practice settings. Practice settings are often chosen based on the interests of the individual and the type of work they prefer to do. There are some people that may enjoy working in a clinic or office setting, but there are others that may prefer working in a hospital or a setting where things happen more quickly. There are several kinds of practice settings, as can be seen in the table below, which all have different ranges of salaries.
| Type of Practice Setting | Hourly | Monthly | Yearly |
| Hospitals | $58.08 | $10,067 | $120,800 |
| Outpatient Facilities | $60.99 | $10,572 | $126,860 |
| Doctor’s Offices | $53.86 | $9,335 | $112,020 |
| Other Healthcare Provider Offices | $51.21 | $8,877 | $106,520 |
| Colleges and Universities | $52.24 | $9,054 | $108,650 |
Indiana Nurse Practitioner Salary – By Speciality
Specialization has a significant impact on nurse practitioners’ salaries as well. Indiana nurse practitioners have a variety of specializations to choose from. A nurse practitioner’s specialty is generally chosen based on what interests them and what their personal goals may be. Pediatrics, psychiatry, family medicine, emergency medicine, and women’s health are some of the areas nurse practitioners specialize in.
A nurse practitioner might need to earn specific certifications after completing a nurse practitioner program. There are different certification requirements for different specialties. For some people, working in the same place for a long time can become monotonous. The opportunities available to nurse practitioners include the ability to work in one specialty for a time and then move on to another. During their careers as nurse practitioners, it is not uncommon to specialize in more than one area.
A description of some of the nurse practitioner specialties, as well as an average salary in Indiana for each specialty, are listed below.
Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
- Conducts assessments, diagnoses, and manages the general care of patients from early adulthood to older adults, supervised by a physician
- An acute care setting or a primary care setting
- Employed in long-term care facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, private practices, hospice facilities, and specialty clinics
- Average salary of an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner is $114,600 per year in Indiana
| Hourly | $55.10 |
| Annual | $114,600 |
Dermatology Nurse Practitioner
- Provide treatment for medical conditions and diseases affecting the skin surface
- Generally provides a flexible work schedule that balances family and work
- Employed in dermatology clinics, plastic surgery offices, medical spas, and research institutes
- Average salary of a dermatology nurse practitioner is $116,554 per year in Indiana
| Hourly | $56.04 |
| Annual | $116,554 |
Emergency Nurse Practitioner
- Assesses, diagnoses, and manages general care to patients in emergent situations
- Employed in emergency departments of a hospital or urgent care center
- Manages the administration of prescribed medications and treatments in accordance with the nursing standards in the emergency setting
- Average salary of an emergency nurse practitioner is $76,535 per year in Indiana
| Hourly | $36.80 |
| Annual | $76,535 |
Family Nurse Practitioner
- Assessment, diagnosis, and management of patient care for a variety of patients ranging from infants to older adults.
- Provides a wide range of services to families ranging from health promotion to chronic disease management
- Employed in a wide variety of settings, including physician offices, hospitals, long-term care facilities, hospice centers, acute care centers, private care with patient’s home, urgent cares, correctional facilities, and private practice
- Average salary of a family nurse practitioner is $115,783 per year in Indiana
| Hourly | $55.66 |
| Annual | $115,783 |
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Provides neonatal management services under the guidance of a neonatologist
- Assesses, diagnoses, and manages critical, high-risk, or chronic infants under the supervision of a neonatologist
- Employed in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in a hospital
- Conducts infant assessments, daily rounds, and develops individual patient care plans for each of the infants under their care
- Average salary of a neonatal nurse practitioner is $106,291 per year in Indiana
| Hourly | $51.10 |
| Annual | $106,291 |
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Manages the administration of prescribed medications and treatments in accordance with the nursing standards in a pediatric setting
- Employed in pediatric units in a hospital and clinics
- Assesses, diagnoses, and manages all needs related to pediatric patients and their needs
- Assesses and documents the condition of the pediatric patient and their response to medications and treatments
- Consults and works closely with parents of pediatric patients to determine compliance with treatment and care
- Average salary of a pediatric nurse practitioner is $105,807 per year in Indiana
| Hourly | $50.87 |
| Annual | $105,807 |
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Plans treatment, records results, and monitors patient progress in response to treatment
- Assesses, diagnoses, and manages patients with psychiatric illness and disorders
- Prescribes medication and provides psychotherapy as needed
- Average salary of a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner is $108,409 per year in Indiana
| Hourly | $52.12 |
| Annual | $108,409 |
Trauma Nurse Practitioner
- Ensures rapid triage of patients
- Assesses, diagnoses, and manages patients in emergent situations
- Employed in a trauma or emergency center in a hospital
- Assists patients with critical injuries in receiving life-saving treatment
- Treats wounds, administers CPR, and gives first aid to patients as necessary
- Average salary of a trauma nurse practitioner is $106,428 per year in Indiana
| Hourly | $51.17 |
| Annual | $106,428 |
Indiana Nurse Practitioner Salary – City Wise
Nurse practitioner salaries vary considerably across the country based on location. Salaries can differ dramatically from one state to another. A nurse practitioner’s location is crucial when considering the range of salaries for this profession within Indiana.
When comparing different salaries, it’s important to keep the type of location in mind. For example, a city, a suburb, a small town, or a rural setting. There are also differences in location pay based on need. In areas with a higher demand for nurse practitioners, their pay and benefits are more competitive. These factors should be taken into consideration when comparing salary amounts across different cities and states.
The following are a few of the largest cities in Indiana, along with the salaries of each.
Carmel
- Population: 99,757 in 2020
- Home to IU Health North Hospital, St. Vincent Hospital and Health, and Ascension St. Vincent Carmel
- Average salary of $116,914 per year
| Hourly | $56.21 |
| Annual | $116,914 |
Evansville
- Population: 117,298 in 2020
- The third-most populous city in the state of Indiana
- Average salary of $115,873 per year
| Hourly | $55.71 |
| Annual | $115,873 |
Fort Wayne
- Population: 263,886 in 2020
- The second-most populous city in the state of Indiana
- Average salary of $113,282 per year
| Hourly | $54.46 |
| Annual | $113,282 |
Indianapolis
- Population: 887,642 in 2020
- State capital and most populous city in the state of Indiana
- Average salary of $116,914 per year
| Hourly | $56.21 |
| Annual | $116,914 |
South Bend
- Population: 103,453 in 2020
- Located just south of Michigan’s border and is the fourth-largest city in the state of Indiana
- Average salary of $115,384 per year
| Hourly | $55.47 |
| Annual | $115,384 |
Indiana Nurse Practitioner Salary – Comparison to Other Nursing Careers
Obtaining a nurse practitioner education can be an excellent investment for Indiana registered nurses. A nurse practitioner in Indiana earns almost $37,000 more than a registered nurse.
There is a wide variety of salaries available for nursing professionals. Certified nursing assistants (CNAs), whose average annual salary is $32,396, are at the lower end of the pay scale. Nurse anesthetists are among the highest-paid nursing professionals. In Indiana, the average salary for nurse anesthetists is $172,239 per year, or more than $56,000 more than the average wage for nurse practitioners, which is $115,783. With the time and financial commitment they have to make to complete their schooling, it becomes evident that the effort they put into it is compensated with a higher salary.
| Occupation | Average Yearly Salary |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | $172,239 |
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) | $115,783 |
| Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) | $105,599 |
| Nursing School Professor | $79,368 |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | $78,888 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) | $47,227 |
| Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | $32,396 |
Indiana Nurse Practitioner Salary – Comparison to Other Healthcare Careers
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants earn similar salaries in Indiana, with the yearly difference between the two professions being less than $7,000. In Indiana, audiologists make an average salary of $78,749 per year, which is on the lower end of the salary scale. On the other end of the salary spectrum, podiatrists make on average $208,454 per year. Nurse practitioners in Indiana earn an average salary of $115,783 per year, which is just above the middle of salaries among other healthcare professionals.
| Occupation | Average Yearly Salary |
| Podiatrist | $208,454 |
| Dentist | $185,672 |
| Optometrist | $134,383 |
| Pharmacist | $131,632 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $115,783 |
| Physician’s Assistant (PA) | $109,267 |
| Chiropractor | $98,195 |
| Veterinarian | $94,389 |
| Physical Therapist (PT) | $88,708 |
| Occupational Therapist (OT) | $82,002 |
| Speech Therapist | $79,303 |
| Audiologist | $78,749 |
Indiana Nurse Practitioner Salary – Comparison Nationwide
The average salary of a nurse practitioner in Indiana is $115,783 per year. The average salary for a nurse practitioner in the United States is $120,190. As a result, nurse practitioners in Indiana tend to earn about $4,407 less per year (about 4%) than their counterparts across the United States.
Indiana Nurse Practitioners – Top Five Paid Specialty
The average salary of dermatology nurse practitioners in Indiana is the highest among all nurse practitioners in the state. Dermatology nurse practitioners in Indiana earn an average salary of $116,554 per year. Pediatric nurse practitioners round out the top five list at the bottom, at a still very nice salary of $105,807 per year.
| Rank | Nurse Practitioner Specialty | Yearly |
| 1 | Dermatology Nurse Practitioner | $116,554 |
| 2 | Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) | $115,783 |
| 3 | Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) | $108,409 |
| 4 | Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) | $106,291 |
| 5 | Pediatric Nurse Practitioner | $105,807 |
Indiana Nurse Practitioner Future
Nurse practitioners have a very promising job outlook in Indiana. The salary potential for nurse practitioners in Indiana is expected to increase by 11% over 5 years. The estimated salary for nurse practitioners in Indiana is projected to be $129,097 by the year 2027.
How To Become a Nurse Practitioner
In case you’re considering becoming a nurse practitioner but don’t already hold a license, you may find these salary numbers helpful. You must have completed an advanced degree program and be a registered nurse in order to become a nurse practitioner. The applicant must have at least two or three years of nursing experience in the specialization that they wish to study for an advanced degree (master’s or doctoral). The next step in becoming a nurse practitioner is obtaining an advanced degree in nursing after becoming a registered nurse and working in your desired specialty.
A number of factors contribute to the time it takes to become a nurse practitioner in Indiana. It will depend on your program of study for how long it will take you to become a nurse practitioner, as well as whether you are enrolled full-time or part-time. This commitment and requirement covers all academic courses, internships, and clinical experiences.
As briefly mentioned above, it is necessary to be a registered nurse before becoming a nurse practitioner. Before a license can be issued to a registered nurse, they must obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Nurse practitioners are required to complete a graduate degree in nursing, such as a MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) or DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice), which makes you eligible to take the licensing examination for the specialty you choose.
The time it takes for a nurse practitioner program to be completed also varies depending on whether a student chooses a traditional program or an accelerated program. Taking into consideration how a person obtains their registered nurse license is also an important factor to consider.
The education required to become a nurse practitioner takes approximately six to seven years. Approximately four years of undergraduate study are required to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Two additional years are required to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Accelerated programs enable you to complete the program in less time. It can also be slowed down by studying part-time rather than full-time or by attending a traditional program rather than an accelerated program.
Conclusion
Regardless of whether you are just starting out on your nursing education path or already a nurse practitioner, there are many options to consider when examining nurse practitioner salaries. When we look at salaries for nurse practitioners across a variety of locations, even within a single state, we can see that nurse practitioners need to take into account a variety of factors in determining their salary. Nurse practitioners in Indiana have numerous opportunities to practice in a variety of settings. The benefits and compensation are very attractive, as well as providing a salary that is competitive with the rest of the country. Indiana may be worth considering when deciding where to practice as a nurse practitioner.
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- Nurse Practitioner Salary in San Francisco
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Written by Joanne Potter BSN, RN
Joanne, BSN, RN, is a writer that specializes in health and wellness. She has fifteen years of experience as a Registered Nurse in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). Her years working on the frontlines at the bedside enable her to write with a deep understanding of what patients want from their communities. Visit her LinkedIn page.
Sources:
SalaryExpert. May 2022
