RN Salary in Wisconsin: $95,530 Median (May 2025)
Registered nurses in Wisconsin earn a median of $95,530 per year — $45.93 an hour — $2,020 below the national median of $97,550, ranking #23 of 51 states and D.C. The middle 80% of Wisconsin RNs earn between $77,470 and $119,860. 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 RN pay range (May 2025)
Dark band = middle 50% of Wisconsin RNs (25th–75th percentile). Light band = middle 80%. New grads typically start near the left edge.
Compare Wisconsin With Any State
Weighing a move, travel contracts, or a compact-state license? Put Wisconsin side by side with any other market.
| May 2025 BLS | Wisconsin | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $95,530 | $95,970 |
| Median hourly wage | $45.93/hr | $46.14/hr |
| Entry-level range (10th pct) | $77,470 | $67,120 |
| Experienced (75th pct) | $102,610 | $105,100 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $119,860 | $127,950 |
| RNs employed | 68,060 | 271,380 |
The path to this salary runs through the NCLEX
Wisconsin has 87 board-approved nursing programs across 51 schools — compare them by real first-time NCLEX pass rates. Then check what the degree costs against these wages with your own numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Wisconsin?
RNs in Wisconsin earn a median of $95,530 per year — $45.93 per hour — $2,020 below the national median of $97,550 (BLS May 2025). That ranks Wisconsin #23 of 51 states and D.C. by median RN pay.
What is a starting RN salary in Wisconsin?
New nurses generally start near the lower percentiles: in Wisconsin, the 10th percentile is $77,470 and the 25th percentile is $81,920. Most RNs move toward the $95,530 median within their first several years.
What do the highest-paid RNs in Wisconsin earn?
The top 10% of RNs in Wisconsin earn above $119,860 per year — typically nurses with specialty certifications, leadership roles, or high-differential schedules.
How many RNs work in Wisconsin?
68,060 registered nurses are employed in Wisconsin per the BLS May 2025 estimates.