Registered Nurses in Wisconsin. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Wisconsin Registered Nurses earned a median annual wage of $86,070 in 2024, about 9% below the US median of $94,511. That gap is real, but it does not tell the whole story.
Wisconsin's cost of living runs below the national average. Our cost-of-living index puts the state at 92.7, meaning prices here are roughly 7% lower than the US baseline. Adjust for that and the $86,070 median translates to something closer to $92,800 in national-baseline dollars, narrowing the gap with the US figure to about 2%.
The range of pay within the state is narrower than in many other occupations. The bottom 10% of Wisconsin RNs earned around $74,970 in 2024, while the top 10% reached $109,270. Top earners make about 1.5 times what the lowest-paid nurses make, a smaller spread than we see in fields where certifications or specialties drive larger jumps in pay. The mean wage of $90,450 sits above the median, so a smaller group of higher-earning nurses does pull the average up, but not by a dramatic amount.
BLS projects employment for Registered Nurses to grow 4.9% between 2024 and 2034, which falls in the average category by their standards. That places nursing well ahead of many white-collar occupations but short of the faster-growing clinical and technical roles. Wisconsin had about 64,960 Registered Nurses on payroll in 2024, one of the larger state-level workforces in this occupation relative to population.
Salary distribution
Where Wisconsin registered nurses fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $81,920 and $102,610, with a median of $95,530.
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Registered Nurses pay by experience level in Wisconsin
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Wisconsin over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- 02
Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- 03
Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- 04
Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- 05
Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- 06
Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
- 07
Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.
- 08
Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for registered nurses in major Wisconsin metropolitan areas.
- Milwaukee$97,360
Compare Registered Nurses pay across nearby states
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in Wisconsin?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in Wisconsin is $95,530.
- How does Wisconsin compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The Wisconsin median is -2.8% versus the BLS national figure of $98,331.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in Wisconsin?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $77,470 and the 90th-percentile at $119,860, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Registered Nurses a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Registered Nurses?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.