Healthcare · Indianapolis, IN

Surgeon Salary in Indianapolis, IN (2026)

Median Surgeon salary in Indianapolis is approximately $252,000/year — 10.0% below the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Indianapolis

$252,000
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$121
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$9,692
Monthly
$21,000
Annual (gross)
$252,000
vs Indiana state average
State avg: $254,800
-$2,800
vs US national
National median: $280,000
-$28,000

After-tax estimate

$179,752
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$252,000
Federal tax (~14%)
−$35,280
FICA (7.65%)
−$19,278
Indiana state tax
~5% effective
−$12,600
Indianapolis local tax (2.02%)
−$5,090
Estimated take-home
$179,752
Monthly take-home
$14,979
For exact take-home, use our Indianapolis Paycheck Calculator.
Surgeon salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Indianapolis
Louisville, KY0.90×$252,000+$0
Omaha, NE0.90×$252,000+$0
El Paso, TX0.91×$254,800+$2,800
Memphis, TN0.89×$249,200-$2,800
Oklahoma City, OK0.89×$249,200-$2,800

Surgeon salaries in Indianapolis, IN

The estimated median Surgeon salary in Indianapolis, Indiana is $252,000/year, working out to approximately $121/hour at full-time, $9,692 per biweekly paycheck, or $21,000/month before taxes. Indianapolis's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.90× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Compared to the Indiana state average for this role ($254,800), Indianapolis pays about $2,800 less. This typically reflects how the metro area's cost of living and employer density differ from the state as a whole.

Take-home pay in Indianapolis

Of the gross $252,000, you take home roughly $179,752 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • Indiana state income tax (~5% effective)
  • Indianapolis local tax: 2.02% — significant for Indianapolis workers

That works out to about $14,979/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Indianapolis Paycheck Calculator.

What affects your actual pay

  • Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Specific employer: top-tier employers in Indianapolis pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Indianapolis typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
  • Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
  • Remote vs in-office: many Indianapolis employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Surgeon Salary in Indiana — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Indianapolis Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Surgeon salary in Indianapolis?
The estimated median Surgeon salary in Indianapolis, Indiana is $252,000 per year, or approximately $121/hour at standard full-time. Indianapolis sits 10.0% below the US national average for this role.
Indianapolis vs Indiana state — what's the salary difference?
Indianapolis: $252,000. Indiana state average for Surgeon: $254,800. Difference: -$2,800 (1.1%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Indianapolis have a city income tax?
Yes — Indianapolis levies a local income tax of approximately 2.02% on top of federal and Indiana state taxes. This affects take-home pay calculations significantly.
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Indianapolis's cost of living relative to the US average. Indianapolis's multiplier is 0.90× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Surgeon in Indianapolis?
Estimate: $179,752/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Indiana state tax (~5.0% effective), and Indianapolis local tax (2.02%). For exact numbers, use the Indianapolis Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.