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Registered nurse salary in Wisconsin (2026)
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The average registered nurse salary in Wisconsin is $94,690 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $95,530 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Wisconsin employs 68,060 registered nurses, and the $840 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior registered nurses in Wisconsin typically earn around $77,470, while senior specialists reach and exceed the $119,860 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a registered nurse hire in Wisconsin, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $95,530 |
Average Annual Salary | $94,690 |
vs. National Average | 6.6% below the national mean of $101,420 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 68,060 employed registered nurses across Wisconsin.
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Employers hiring entry-level registered nurses in Wisconsin can anchor offers near $77,470, while roles requiring specialized experience or leadership responsibilities will need to reach toward $119,860 to attract qualified candidates. The $42,390 spread across the full range signals that role scope and specialization drive meaningful pay differences, so defining the position clearly before setting a budget will help you land in the right part of that range.
Where you hire in Wisconsin will have a real effect on your compensation budget, with Madison commanding noticeably higher pay than markets like Appleton or Green Bay. Madison's average of $100,430 sits roughly $9,940 above Appleton's $90,490, which means location alone can shift your offer band by a meaningful amount. If your facility is in a lower-cost market, you may find it easier to attract candidates without competing at Madison-level rates.
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Wisconsin | $94,690 | $95,530 |
Minnesota | $103,420 | $101,510 |
Illinois | $94,360 | $95,990 |
Michigan | $94,300 | $94,300 |
Indiana | $89,150 | $83,500 |
Iowa | $80,540 | $78,630 |
Wisconsin sits in a cost-effective middle tier among Midwest states, making it a reasonable market for employers who want to attract experienced nurses without matching Minnesota's higher pay scale. Wisconsin's average of $94,690 tracks closely with Illinois at $94,360 and Michigan at $94,300, so candidates moving between those states will arrive with similar salary expectations. Minnesota is the clear outlier at $103,420, and employers competing for nurses who have offers from Minnesota-based employers will need to account for that gap.
Frequently asked questions about registered nurse salary in Wisconsin
Registered Nurse salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 29-1141 (Registered Nurses).
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