Registered Nurse Salary in Fort Wayne, IN — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Fort Wayne's cost of living (index: 84). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Registered Nurse Salary in Fort Wayne — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Fort Wayne
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne has a metro population of 410,000, offering a growing job market with opportunities especially in established local industries. The 3.8% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.
Financial Calculators for Fort Wayne
Other Professions in Fort Wayne
Registered Nurse Salary — Other Indiana Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Registered Nurse make in Fort Wayne, IN?
The estimated median salary for a Registered Nurse in Fort Wayne is $72,299 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $86,070 adjusted by Fort Wayne's cost of living index (84). The typical salary range runs from $57,868 (25th percentile) to $90,460 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $111,451.
Is Fort Wayne affordable for a Registered Nurse?
On a $72,299 annual salary, a Registered Nurse in Fort Wayne would spend approximately 14.1% of gross monthly income on median rent ($850/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Fort Wayne relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $200,000 is 2.8× the annual salary.
How does a Registered Nurse's salary compare to Fort Wayne's overall income?
Fort Wayne's median household income is $57,600. A Registered Nurse earning the city-adjusted median of $72,299 earns 25.5% more than the typical Fort Wayne household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.