Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Indiana: $227,552 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Indiana's 43 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse anesthetist pay sits at $227,552/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1151. Because Indiana sits at BEA RPP 91.3 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $249,235 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Indianapolis ($225,590), Carmel ($223,614), Fort Wayne ($223,493).
In Indiana, the average median salary for nurse anesthetists in 2026 is projected to be $227,552, which is 8.6% below the national median of $248,893. The salary range varies significantly across the state, with the highest-paying city, Indianapolis, offering $237,321, while Munster has the lowest at $209,085, creating a salary gap of $28,236. This difference can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living variations, local demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of medical facilities. Indiana's nurse anesthetists are required to hold advanced practice licensing, which includes completing a master's or doctoral degree in nurse anesthesia, as well as national certification. The scope of practice laws in Indiana allow nurse anesthetists to practice independently or in collaboration with physicians, enhancing their role in the healthcare system. With a projected annual growth rate of 5.20%, the demand for nurse anesthetists in Indiana is expected to remain strong, driven by an aging population and an increasing emphasis on pain management and anesthesia services. As of 2026, there are 574 employed nurse anesthetists in the state, indicating a solid job market for this profession.
Indiana Nurse Anesthetist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Indiana: $116,772 (lowest entry-level) to $346,767 (highest top earner)
Indiana vs National Average
Indiana nurse anesthetists earn 8.57% less than the national median ($-21,341/year difference).
Indiana Nurse Anesthetist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Anesthetist salaries in Indiana range from $144,186 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $320,221 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $227,552. The Indiana median is $21,341 below the US national median of $248,893. The average hourly rate is $109.40/hr. Approximately 574 nurse anesthetists are employed across 43 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$162,640
2025 BLS Actual
$216,304
2026 Current Est.
$227,552
2019–2027 Growth
+47.2%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Indiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $162,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $174,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $168,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $191,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $161,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $187,687 | Actual |
| 2025 | $216,304 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $227,552 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $239,385 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Indiana metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 33.0% from $162,640 (2019) to $216,304 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $239,385 by 2027 — a total increase of $76,745 (47.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Indiana metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Indiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Indiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Munster | $209,085 |
| Avon | $213,596 |
| Brownsburg | $215,123 |
| Michigan City | $216,110 |
| Shelbyville | $216,433 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Anesthetists in Indiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Indiana cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse anesthetists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carmel | $235,242 | 91.3 | $257,658 |
| Fort Wayne | $235,115 | 91.3 | $257,519 |
| South Bend | $234,478 | 91.3 | $256,821 |
| Greenwood | $232,394 | 91.3 | $254,539 |
| Evansville | $232,293 | 91.3 | $254,428 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Indiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $144,186 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $227,552 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $320,221 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Indiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 43 Cities in Indiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indianapolis | $237,321 |
| 2 | Carmel | $235,242 |
| 3 | Fort Wayne | $235,115 |
| 4 | South Bend | $234,478 |
| 5 | Greenwood | $232,394 |
| 6 | Evansville | $232,293 |
| 7 | Muncie | $230,483 |
| 8 | Noblesville | $229,763 |
| 9 | Terre Haute | $229,494 |
| 10 | Lafayette | $228,737 |
| 11 | Gary | $227,532 |
| 12 | Fishers | $226,704 |
| 13 | Bloomington | $225,228 |
| 14 | Plainfield | $224,558 |
| 15 | Valparaiso | $224,152 |
| 16 | Columbus | $223,905 |
| 17 | Elkhart | $223,842 |
| 18 | Kokomo | $223,806 |
| 19 | Westfield | $223,429 |
| 20 | Franklin | $223,393 |
| 21 | Schererville | $222,900 |
| 22 | Anderson | $222,114 |
| 23 | Mishawaka | $222,078 |
| 24 | Richmond | $221,137 |
| 25 | Hammond | $221,035 |
| 26 | Marion | $219,620 |
| 27 | Portage | $219,497 |
| 28 | East Chicago | $219,390 |
| 29 | New Albany | $219,356 |
| 30 | Jeffersonville | $218,932 |
| 31 | Zionsville | $218,315 |
| 32 | Hobart | $218,227 |
| 33 | Merrillville | $217,980 |
| 34 | Granger | $217,909 |
| 35 | Lawrence | $217,398 |
| 36 | Goshen | $217,310 |
| 37 | West Lafayette | $216,975 |
| 38 | Crown Point | $216,498 |
| 39 | Shelbyville | $216,433 |
| 40 | Michigan City | $216,110 |
| 41 | Brownsburg | $215,123 |
| 42 | Avon | $213,596 |
| 43 | Munster | $209,085 |
More Indiana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse anesthetist hourly pay in Indiana cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse anesthetists.
Explore More Nurse Anesthetist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Indiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse anesthetists in Indiana?
How does Indiana nurse anesthetist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse anesthetist salary in Indiana?
How many nurse anesthetists are employed in Indiana?
Which Indiana city offers the best value for nurse anesthetists?
Written by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA
Career Analyst
Alexandra Johnson has 10 years of experience as a nurse anesthetist. She specializes in anesthesia for orthopedic surgeries. She works in a regional medical center.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse anesthetist compensation across Indiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 43 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse anesthetistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse anesthetists (SOC 29-1151).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov