Nurse Practitioner Salary in Wisconsin: $131,980 Median (May 2025)
Nurse practitioners in Wisconsin earn a median of $131,980 per year — $63.45 an hour — $320 below the national NP median of $132,300, ranking #24 of 51 states and D.C. The middle 80% of Wisconsin NPs earn between $106,320 and $166,260. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — the federal wage survey, not job-board self-reports.
Wisconsin NP pay range (May 2025)
Dark band = middle 50% of Wisconsin NPs (25th–75th percentile). Light band = middle 80%. New NPs typically start near the left edge.
NP vs RN Pay in Wisconsin
The median NP in Wisconsin out-earns the median RN by $36,450 per year (38%). Same state, same license underneath — the difference is the graduate degree and the scope that comes with it.
Compare Wisconsin With Any State
Weighing a move, telehealth, or a compact-state license? Put Wisconsin side by side with any other NP market.
| May 2025 BLS | Wisconsin | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $131,980 | $131,670 |
| Median hourly wage | $63.45/hr | $63.31/hr |
| Entry-level range (10th pct) | $106,320 | $96,880 |
| Experienced (75th pct) | $147,970 | $147,660 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $166,260 | $161,980 |
| NPs employed | 5,160 | 25,970 |
The NP path starts with an RN license
Every NP passed the NCLEX first. If you’re earlier on the ladder: compare Wisconsin’s board-approved nursing programs by real first-time pass rates, and see the full earning ladder from CNA to CRNA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Wisconsin?
NPs in Wisconsin earn a median of $131,980 per year — $63.45 per hour — $320 below the national NP median of $132,300 (BLS May 2025). That ranks Wisconsin #24 of 51 states and D.C. by median NP pay.
How much more do NPs make than RNs in Wisconsin?
The median NP in Wisconsin earns $131,980 versus $95,530 for the median RN — a difference of $36,450 per year (38%). The step up requires a master's or doctoral NP program on top of the RN license.
What is a starting NP salary in Wisconsin?
New NPs generally start near the lower percentiles: in Wisconsin, the 10th percentile is $106,320 and the 25th percentile is $123,410. Most NPs move toward the $131,980 median within their first several years of practice.
How many nurse practitioners work in Wisconsin?
5,160 nurse practitioners are employed in Wisconsin per the BLS May 2025 estimates.