Indianapolis Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Indianapolis, IN: $27.88/hr median hourly wage, $58,000 median annual salary, cost of living index 91, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Indiana taxes.
Indianapolis Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Indianapolis, IN is $27.88/hr, equivalent to $58,000 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $17.29/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $39.59/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$58,000
$27.88/hr
Cost of Living
91
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.2%
rate
Indianapolis, IN Overview
Population
887,642
Median Salary
$58,000
Average Salary
$64,000
Avg Commute
25 min
Median Home Price
$230,000
Median Rent
$1,100/mo
Job Growth
+1.8%
Sales Tax
7%
Indianapolis is located in Indiana with a population of 887,642. The median household salary is $58,000 per year ($27.88/hour), which is $1,384 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 25 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.8%.
Indianapolis Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Indianapolis, IN based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $58,000 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $35,960 | $17.29/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $58,000 | $27.88/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $82,360 | $39.59/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $103,240 | $49.63/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Indianapolis Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Indianapolis, IN, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$47,072
$3,922.67/month · $1,810.46/biweekly · Effective Rate: 18.8%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,810.46 take-home per paycheck after estimated Indiana and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$58,000
Federal Tax
-$4,780
State Tax
-$1,711
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,437
Net Pay
$47,072
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,833.33 | $58,000.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$398.33 | -$4,780.00 |
| Indiana State Tax (2.95%) | -$142.58 | -$1,711.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$299.67 | -$3,596.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$70.08 | -$841.00 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,922.67 | $47,072.00 |
Salary Comparison: Indianapolis vs Other Cities
See how Indianapolis's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis, IN | $58,000 | 91 | $63,736 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Escondido, CA | $58,000 | 135 | $42,963 |
| Newark, DE | $58,000 | 102 | $56,863 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $58,000 | 96 | $60,417 |
| Palm Bay, FL | $58,000 | 95 | $61,053 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Indianapolis
Indianapolis's cost of living index is 91 (national average = 100). Living in Indianapolis is 9% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$230,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Annual Rent Cost
$13,200
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $47,072 annual take-home pay in Indianapolis has the purchasing power of approximately $51,727 in an average-cost US area. Your $58,000 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Indianapolis
Indianapolis's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $58,000.
Salary Tips for Indianapolis Workers
- Research top industries. Indianapolis's top industries include Healthcare, Logistics, Finance. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $58,000 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Job Salaries in Indianapolis, IN
Browse occupation-specific salary estimates adjusted for Indianapolis's cost of living. These pages connect national role benchmarks with local take-home pay and market context.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Indianapolis salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Indianapolis-IN metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Indianapolis indexed at 91.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Indianapolis's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $58,000 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Indiana state income tax (2.95%) (no local income tax), sales tax (7%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Indianapolis: 3.2%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Healthcare, Logistics, Finance — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.8% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Indiana.
- Housing context: median home price $230,000, median rent $1,100/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Indianapolis, IN:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Indianapolis unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Indianapolis QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Indiana — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Indianapolis's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Indiana labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
Explore Salaries Across the US
Compare salary data and cost of living for hundreds of US cities. Find out where your paycheck goes the furthest.
Related Salary Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Indianapolis, IN?
The median hourly wage in Indianapolis, IN is $27.88 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $58,000 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $17.29/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $39.59/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Indianapolis, IN?
The median salary in Indianapolis, IN is $58,000 per year, or $27.88 per hour. The average salary is $64,000. This is $1,384 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Indianapolis, IN?
Indianapolis's cost of living index is 91 (national average = 100), meaning it is 9% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $230,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,100.
What are the best industries in Indianapolis?
The top industries in Indianapolis, IN include Healthcare, Logistics, Finance. The city has a job growth rate of 1.8% and an unemployment rate of 3.2%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $58,000.
How does Indianapolis's salary compare to other cities?
Indianapolis's median salary of $58,000 is 2.3% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 91), the real purchasing power is approximately $63,736.
What is the minimum wage in Indianapolis, IN?
The minimum wage in Indianapolis, IN is $7.25 per hour. This equals approximately $15,080 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.