What the numbers say
About 21,950 Registered Nurses work in the Milwaukee metro, making it one of the larger nursing labor markets in the Midwest. The 2024 median annual wage came in at $83,990, which sits about 2% below the Wisconsin median of $86,070 and roughly 11% below the national figure of $94,511.
That gap from the national median is worth noting. Milwaukee does not stand apart from other Midwestern metros in this respect. Regional wage levels for nursing tend to run below the coasts, and Wisconsin as a whole tracks below the US figure as well. Milwaukee simply lands a notch below the state center.
The spread from the 10th to the 90th percentile runs from $73,170 to $107,600. That is a $34,430 range, or about 47% above the low end. For a profession where wages are often set by negotiated pay grids, collective bargaining agreements, and shift differentials, that spread reflects meaningful differences in seniority, specialty, and setting across the metro's hospitals and health systems. A nurse entering the workforce here and one at the top of the scale are not living in the same pay reality.
The mean wage of $91,040 clears the median by about $7,000. That gap suggests a group of nurses in higher-paid specialties or leadership roles pulling the average up. For most people working in this occupation locally, the median is the more useful reference point.
Salary distribution
Where Milwaukee registered nurses fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $82,570 and $105,000, with a median of $97,360.
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.
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Explore coursesFrequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in Milwaukee, Wisconsin?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in the Milwaukee metropolitan area is $97,360.
- Does Milwaukee pay more than the Wisconsin state average for Registered Nurses?
- The Milwaukee metro median is +1.9% versus the Wisconsin state median of $95,530.
- How does Milwaukee compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The Milwaukee metro median is -1.0% versus the BLS national figure of $98,331.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in Milwaukee?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $78,730 and the 90th-percentile at $119,490 for the Milwaukee metro area.
- 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. BLS metro estimates reflect the Milwaukee CBSA boundary 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.