Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Indianapolis, IN: $237,321 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Indianapolis, IN earns a median $237,321/year (≈ $114.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Indianapolis's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $247,995 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% above the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, the nurse anesthetist salary in Indianapolis is projected to be $237,321, showcasing a competitive position within the local healthcare landscape, though it remains slightly below the national median of $248,893. Salary ranges indicate significant variability, with the lower 10th percentile earning approximately $116,772 and the top 90th percentile making up to $308,531. This disparity often reflects the unique call-coverage requirements and lifestyle trade-offs inherent in the profession. The data presented is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, offering a reliable benchmark for understanding compensation realities. The local market is influenced by various factors, including the number of nurse anesthetists employed in the area and the demand for anesthesia services within the expanding healthcare facilities in Indianapolis.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $116,772 | $56.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $194,536 | $93.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $237,321 | $114.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $289,289 | $139.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $308,531 | $148.33 |
Median Salary Position
4.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Indianapolis
In Indianapolis, IN, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $191,759 (2026 est.). At $237,321, the local median is 4.65% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Indianapolis: You'd be above the median
How Indianapolis Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Indianapolis median: $237,321/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Indianapolis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $227,319 | +4.40% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | -4.65% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Indianapolis, IN earn a median of $237,321 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.65% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 4.40% above the Indiana state average of $227,319.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Indianapolis has a cost of living 4.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Indianapolis, IN has a cost-of-living index of 95.696 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $237,321 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $247,995 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.5% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$162,640
2025 BLS Actual
$225,590
2026 Current Est.
$237,321
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Indianapolis (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 | $170,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $161,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $178,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $225,590 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $237,321 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $249,661 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Indianapolis metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 38.7% from $162,640 (2019) to $225,590 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $249,661 by 2027 — a total increase of $87,021 (53.51%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Indianapolis 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $116,772 – $194,536 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $194,536 – $237,321 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $237,321 – $289,289 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $289,289 – $308,531 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Indianapolis
The employment landscape for nurse anesthetists in Indianapolis includes about 80 CRNAs, providing a solid foundation for job seekers. With a cost-of-living index of 95.696, practitioners generally find that their take-home pay translates effectively into purchasing power, enhancing the overall appeal of nursing careers in the area. Institutions such as major hospital systems and ambulatory surgery centers typically offer the highest pay, with some CRNA-owned practices providing opportunities for lucrative partnership tracks. Variability in compensation can often be attributed to factors like the frequency of call coverage rotations, which can differ significantly from 1-in-5 to 1-in-8, and the potential for weekend and holiday differentials. Additionally, understanding the difference between W-2 and 1099 tax structures can further impact earnings. For those looking to maximize their nurse anesthetist pay in Indianapolis, seeking positions that offer bonus structures related to OR efficiency or participating in profit-sharing within group practices can be advantageous.
More salary data for Indianapolis, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Indianapolis, IN in 2026?
Is Indianapolis, IN a good place to work as a nurse anesthetist?
Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Indianapolis?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nurse anesthetist salary in Indianapolis?
How much does a nurse anesthetist make per hour in Indianapolis?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Indiana
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $225,590 for nurse anesthetistsin the Indianapolis metropolitan area. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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