RN Salary in Wisconsin (2026): The Complete BLS-Anchored Guide
Last verified: April 23, 2026 — all pay figures anchored to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 29-1141 Registered Nurses, May 2024 release; NLC compact effective date per NCSBN; state tax per Wisconsin Department of Revenue; employer counts from system "About" pages and Wisconsin Hospital Association.
Wisconsin is a Great Lakes integrated-health-system market. Approximately 62,000 RNs statewide, a consolidated landscape dominated by Advocate Aurora (now Advocate Health post-2022 merger with Atrium), Froedtert ThedaCare Health (2024 merger closed), UW Health, Marshfield Clinic Health System, and Gundersen Health System. BLS OEWS 29-1141 May 2024 reports a Wisconsin state RN median annual wage of $86,9001 — essentially at par with the national RN median of $86,070. This guide is the complete Wisconsin RN salary picture in 2026, anchored to primary sources.
The Headline — Wisconsin RN Pay in One Chart
BLS OEWS 29-1141 Registered Nurses, Wisconsin state, May 2024 release:1
| Metric | Wisconsin | U.S. median | Delta |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median (50th percentile) annual | $86,900 | $86,070 | +1% |
| Mean annual | $89,220 | $94,480 | -6% |
| 10th percentile annual | $67,890 | $61,250 | +11% |
| 25th percentile annual | $75,340 | $72,800 | +3% |
| 75th percentile annual | $101,340 | $107,380 | -6% |
| 90th percentile annual | $115,260 | $132,680 | -13% |
| Median hourly | $41.78 | $41.38 | +1% |
| Employment | ~62,000 | ~3.3M | — |
Wisconsin pay sits at the national median with strong 10th-percentile lift (+11%) — meaningful protection for entry-level RNs. The 90th-percentile gap (-13%) reflects the absence of coastal union-negotiated top-end premiums and the relatively compressed non-union wage structure.
Why Wisconsin Pays What It Does — The Structural Drivers
1. NLC compact effective January 19, 2018. Wisconsin is an NLC compact member state. Per NCSBN's current NLC map, Wisconsin's eNLC implementation dates to the January 19, 2018 multi-state rollout.6 Wisconsin does have some original compact history — the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) Board of Nursing maintains records of prior compact participation — but the NCSBN-verified current eNLC implementation date is 2018.7 This is an important correction: Wisconsin IS a compact state (not non-compact, as some legacy sources erroneously frame).
2. Advocate Health (post-Atrium merger) — largest employer of Wisconsin RNs. In December 2022, Advocate Aurora (Illinois + Wisconsin) merged with Atrium Health (North Carolina + Georgia + Alabama) to form Advocate Health — one of the largest non-profit health systems in the United States.2 Wisconsin operations continue under the Aurora Health Care brand in eastern Wisconsin: Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center (Milwaukee flagship), Aurora Sinai Medical Center, Aurora West Allis, Aurora Summit, Aurora Grafton, Aurora Two Rivers, Aurora BayCare, Aurora Kenosha, Aurora Burlington, Aurora Lakeland, Aurora Sheboygan, Aurora Medical Center–Oshkosh, Aurora Fond du Lac, plus freestanding facilities. Aurora is non-union in Wisconsin.
3. Froedtert ThedaCare Health — 2024 merger. In 2024, Froedtert Health (Milwaukee academic + community) completed its merger with ThedaCare (Fox Valley regional), forming Froedtert ThedaCare Health.3 Combined operations include Froedtert Hospital (Milwaukee flagship, academic medical center, Level I trauma), Children's Wisconsin (pediatric partnership), Froedtert Menomonee Falls, Froedtert West Bend, Froedtert Pleasant Prairie, Froedtert Drexel Town Square, plus the ThedaCare Regional Medical Center–Appleton, ThedaCare Regional–Neenah, ThedaCare New London, ThedaCare Shawano, ThedaCare Waupaca, ThedaCare Wild Rose, ThedaCare Berlin, and additional facilities. Non-union.
4. UW Health — flagship academic in Madison. UW Health operates University Hospital (Madison flagship, academic medical center, Level I trauma), American Family Children's Hospital (pediatric), UW Health at The American Center, UW Health East Madison Hospital, plus affiliated community hospitals (UW Health SwedishAmerican Rockford IL). Non-union. Academic-ladder + research-integration compensation.
5. Marshfield Clinic Health System — central Wisconsin integrated model. Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS) is a unique integrated health system covering central and northern Wisconsin — MCHS Marshfield Medical Center (flagship), MCHS Eau Claire, MCHS Weston, MCHS Minocqua, MCHS Beaver Dam, MCHS Neillsville, MCHS Park Falls, MCHS Rice Lake. Non-union. Clinic-integrated compensation.
6. Gundersen Health System — La Crosse academic. Gundersen Health System (La Crosse, western Wisconsin + Iowa + Minnesota) operates Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center (La Crosse flagship, Level II trauma) + regional clinics.
7. Bellin Health / BayCare. Bellin Health (Green Bay) operates Bellin Memorial Hospital + regional clinics. Merged operations with BayCare Aurora Medical in some Green Bay market overlaps (Advocate Health / Aurora BayCare).
8. Children's Wisconsin — pediatric academic. Children's Wisconsin (Milwaukee + Neenah + Surgicenter) is one of the top U.S. children's hospitals by volume and research integration; partnership with Froedtert + Medical College of Wisconsin.
9. Non-union, but with limited public-sector SEIU presence. Wisconsin is a right-to-work state under 2015 Wisconsin Act 1.9 Private-sector RN union density is low. Some public-sector RN representation exists in municipal and county-hospital settings (SEIU / AFSCME locals), but statewide pay-setting is employer-driven via published system wage scales.
10. Wisconsin income tax — progressive bracketed. Wisconsin levies a progressive income tax: 3.50% — 4.40% — 5.30% — 7.65% across income brackets per the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (2025 rates).10 RN income typically falls in the 4.40% or 5.30% bracket depending on filing status and total income. Combined with moderate property tax, Wisconsin net take-home is stable — below tax-free Tennessee/Texas but ahead of California/Minnesota on the high end.
Metro Breakdown — All BLS-Reported Wisconsin Areas
Wisconsin metros with BLS OEWS 29-1141 published data (May 2024):1
| Metro | Median hourly | Median annual | Employment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee–Waukesha | $42.73 | $88,890 | ~21,000 | Aurora St. Luke's + Froedtert + Children's Wisconsin + Ascension Columbia St. Mary's + Aurora West Allis. |
| Madison | $43.41 | $90,300 | ~10,500 | UW Health University Hospital + American Family Children's + UnityPoint Meriter + SSM Health St. Mary's. |
| Green Bay | $40.46 | $84,150 | ~5,000 | Bellin Memorial + Aurora BayCare + HSHS St. Vincent. |
| Appleton (Fox Valley / Appleton-Neenah) | $40.08 | $83,370 | ~4,800 | ThedaCare Regional Appleton + ThedaCare Neenah + Ascension Northeast WI. |
| Eau Claire | $40.30 | $83,820 | ~3,200 | Mayo Clinic Health System (MCHS)–Eau Claire + HSHS Sacred Heart + Marshfield Clinic Eau Claire. |
| Oshkosh–Neenah | $39.30 | $81,740 | ~2,600 | ThedaCare + Ascension Mercy. |
| La Crosse (WI portion) | $39.43 | $82,020 | ~2,700 | Gundersen Health System + Mayo Clinic Health System La Crosse. |
| Racine | $41.31 | $85,920 | ~2,000 | Ascension All Saints + Aurora Racine. |
| Kenosha | $40.21 | $83,630 | ~1,800 | Aurora Kenosha + Froedtert Pleasant Prairie. |
| Wausau | $38.54 | $80,160 | ~1,800 | Aspirus Wausau + Marshfield Medical Center Weston. |
Milwaukee + Madison together dominate Wisconsin RN employment (~50%). Madison leads pay per median, driven by UW Health academic + UnityPoint Meriter + SSM competition. Milwaukee pay close behind. Fox Valley + Green Bay + Eau Claire cluster around state median.
Wisconsin Pay by Care Setting
Base pay varies by care setting. Typical 2026 Wisconsin base ranges (before differentials), Milwaukee metro:
| Care setting | Typical 2026 WI base (Milwaukee metro) | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| Acute care med-surg / stepdown | $78,000–$102,000 | Hub F acute |
| ICU | $86,000–$120,000 | Hub F ICU |
| ED | $83,000–$115,000 | Hub F ED |
| OR / perioperative | $83,000–$115,000 | Hub F OR |
| L&D | $83,000–$112,000 | Hub F L&D |
| Pediatric specialty | $86,000–$120,000 | Hub F pediatric |
| Ambulatory | $72,000–$94,000 | Hub F ambulatory |
| Home health | $74,000–$98,000 | Hub F home health |
| Hospice | $72,000–$94,000 | Hub F hospice |
| School nursing | $58,000–$84,000 (10-month contract) | Hub F school |
Shift differentials typical: night +$3–$6/hour, weekend +$2–$5/hour, charge +$2–$4/hour, specialty-cert stipend $1–$2.50/hour at Magnet facilities.
Top Wisconsin Employers — 2026 Pay Landscape
Advocate Health / Aurora Health Care (Wisconsin market) — Eastern Wisconsin; 17+ hospitals. Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center (Milwaukee flagship, Level I trauma, cardiac center of excellence), Aurora Sinai, Aurora West Allis, Aurora Summit, Aurora Grafton, Aurora BayCare (Green Bay), Aurora Two Rivers, Aurora Kenosha, Aurora Burlington, Aurora Lakeland, Aurora Sheboygan, Aurora Oshkosh, Aurora Fond du Lac, plus ambulatory. Non-union.
Froedtert ThedaCare Health (2024 merger) — Froedtert Hospital (Milwaukee academic flagship, Level I trauma, Medical College of Wisconsin academic partner), Froedtert Menomonee Falls, Froedtert West Bend, Froedtert Pleasant Prairie, Froedtert Drexel Town Square, ThedaCare Regional Appleton, ThedaCare Regional Neenah, ThedaCare New London, ThedaCare Shawano, ThedaCare Waupaca, ThedaCare Wild Rose, ThedaCare Berlin. Non-union.
UW Health — University Hospital (Madison flagship, academic, Level I trauma), American Family Children's Hospital, UW Health at The American Center, UW Health East Madison Hospital, UW Health SwedishAmerican (Rockford IL). Non-union. Academic-ladder + research.
Marshfield Clinic Health System — MCHS Marshfield Medical Center (flagship), MCHS Eau Claire, MCHS Weston, MCHS Minocqua, MCHS Beaver Dam, MCHS Neillsville, MCHS Park Falls, MCHS Rice Lake. Non-union. Integrated clinic-hospital model.
Children's Wisconsin — Children's Wisconsin Milwaukee (flagship, top-U.S. pediatric), Children's Wisconsin Neenah, Children's Wisconsin Surgicenter. Non-union. Pediatric premium; academic research integration with MCW.
Gundersen Health System — Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center (La Crosse flagship, Level II trauma) + La Crosse regional clinics + Iowa / Minnesota border facilities.
Ascension Wisconsin — Ascension St. Joseph (Milwaukee), Ascension Columbia St. Mary's (Milwaukee), Ascension Elmbrook, Ascension SE Wisconsin cluster, Ascension Northeast WI (Oshkosh, Appleton), Ascension All Saints (Racine), Ascension Calumet, Ascension Mercy, Ascension St. Francis, plus numerous community facilities. Non-union.
SSM Health — SSM Health St. Mary's (Madison), SSM Health Dean Medical Group, SSM Health Ripon, SSM Health Waupun, SSM Health Wisconsin Dells, SSM Health Baraboo, plus regional Wisconsin facilities. Non-union.
UnityPoint Meriter (Madison) — Meriter Hospital (Madison) + UnityPoint Clinic. Non-union.
Bellin Health (Green Bay) — Bellin Memorial Hospital + regional Bellin clinics. Non-union.
HSHS (Hospital Sisters Health System) — HSHS St. Vincent (Green Bay), HSHS St. Mary's (Green Bay), HSHS St. Nicholas (Sheboygan), HSHS Sacred Heart (Eau Claire), HSHS St. Joseph's (Chippewa Falls). Non-union.
Aspirus (Wausau + northern WI + MI UP) — Aspirus Wausau (flagship), Aspirus Riverview, Aspirus Stevens Point, Aspirus Merrill, Aspirus Langlade, Aspirus Medford, plus UP Michigan facilities.
Mayo Clinic Health System (Wisconsin) — MCHS-Eau Claire + MCHS-La Crosse (Franciscan) + MCHS-Red Cedar (Menomonie) + MCHS-Northland (Barron) + additional facilities. Part of Mayo Clinic system.
Froedtert and Medical College of Wisconsin — academic partnership at Froedtert Hospital flagship.
VA Medical Centers — Milwaukee VA (Zablocki), Madison VA (William S. Middleton), Tomah VA. Federal pay scale + federal pension.
County and public hospitals — limited; Wisconsin's hospital sector is predominantly non-profit integrated systems.
Compare specific facilities at Hospital Pay Band Comparator.
Specialty Certifications — What They Stack on Wisconsin Base
Wisconsin employers (Advocate/Aurora, Froedtert ThedaCare, UW Health, Marshfield, Gundersen, Ascension, SSM, Aspirus) publish clinical-ladder structures with codified specialty-cert differentials.
- CCRN — AACN; WI differential typically $1–$2.50/hour + clinical-ladder step at Magnet.
- CEN — BCEN; WI differential typically $1–$2/hour.
- OCN — ONCC; WI differential typically $1–$2/hour at Froedtert Clinical Cancer Center / UW Carbone Cancer Center / Aurora Cancer programs.
- CNOR — CCI; WI differential typically $1–$2/hour + RNFA pathway.
- PCCN — AACN; WI differential typically $0.75–$1.75/hour.
- CMSRN — MSNCB; WI differential typically $0.50–$1.50/hour.
- RNC-OB / C-EFM / RNC-NIC / CPN / TCRN / CPEN — codified at Children's Wisconsin + Magnet facilities.
Model at Specialty Cert Worth-It.
Travel Nurse Baseline — Wisconsin Comparison
Wisconsin is a steady travel market, benefiting from NLC compact status (effective Jan 19, 2018).
Typical 2026 weekly gross for experienced travelers on Wisconsin contracts (Milwaukee metro):
| Specialty | Weekly gross (typical) | Weekly gross (crisis rate) |
|---|---|---|
| Med-surg | $1,750–$2,200 | $2,500–$2,900 |
| Telemetry/PCU | $1,900–$2,400 | $2,700–$3,050 |
| ED | $2,000–$2,500 | $2,800–$3,200 |
| ICU | $2,100–$2,650 | $2,900–$3,400 |
| CVICU/NICU/PICU | $2,300–$2,950 | $3,150–$3,800 |
| L&D | $2,000–$2,500 | $2,800–$3,200 |
| OR | $2,100–$2,600 | $2,950–$3,400 |
Madison metro runs roughly comparable to Milwaukee. Green Bay / Fox Valley / Eau Claire typically 5–10% below. Wausau / Rural WI 10–15% below.
Compact status: Wisconsin is NLC compact effective January 19, 2018 per NCSBN.6 Multi-state-license holders from other compact states can work Wisconsin assignments without endorsement.
Real take-home after IRS Publication 463 tax-home compliance, Milwaukee / Madison housing (moderate), WI progressive state income tax (3.5%–7.65%), and contract-specific terms typically runs 18–28% below headline. Run at Travel Nurse Contract Analyzer.
Wisconsin RN Licensing — NLC Compact Status
Wisconsin is an NLC compact member state. Per NCSBN's current NLC map, Wisconsin's eNLC implementation dates to January 19, 2018.6 The Wisconsin Board of Nursing (within the Department of Safety and Professional Services, DSPS) issues both multi-state (compact) and single-state RN licenses.7 Full WI licensing detail: Wisconsin Nurse Licensing Guide.
Career Lattice — How Wisconsin RNs Grow Pay
Clinical ladder (typical Magnet hospital) — Clinical Nurse I → II → III → IV. BSN + specialty cert + professional activity required for advancement. Wisconsin Magnet-designated hospitals include Froedtert Hospital, UW Health University Hospital, American Family Children's, Aurora St. Luke's, Aurora West Allis, Children's Wisconsin, ThedaCare Regional–Appleton, and additional facilities.
Public-sector ladder — VA (Milwaukee / Madison / Tomah), UW Health (state-affiliated academic), county-hospital RN roles offer pension access (WRS + federal).
APRN track — MSN/DNP → FNP / AGPCNP / AGACNP / PMHNP / CNM / CRNA / PNP. Wisconsin does NOT grant APRN full practice authority; APRNs practice under collaborative agreement with physician (Wisconsin Statutes § 441, Wisconsin Admin Code N 8).8
Model educational investment ROI at BSN-to-MSN ROI.
Regional Realities — Cost-of-Living Adjustment
Wisconsin cost-of-living is moderate for the Midwest. Housing varies — Madison is the highest-cost metro, Milwaukee moderate, Green Bay / Fox Valley / Eau Claire / Wausau affordable.
- Milwaukee: Strong nominal pay ($89K median); housing moderate. Net purchasing power strong.
- Madison: Highest pay ($90K); housing is elevated (state capital + university effects). Net purchasing power moderate.
- Green Bay / Fox Valley: Pay $83–$84K; housing affordable. Net purchasing power strong.
- Eau Claire / La Crosse: Pay $82–$84K; housing very affordable. Strong net purchasing power.
- Rural Wisconsin: Pay $76–$82K; housing very affordable.
Model net purchasing power at RN Salary by State with a Wisconsin cost-of-living overlay.
FAQ
What's the median RN salary in Wisconsin in 2026? BLS OEWS 29-1141 May 2024 release: $86,900 median Wisconsin RN annual wage.1 Mean: $89,220. 90th percentile: $115,260.
Which Wisconsin metro pays the most? Madison: $90,300 median annual. Milwaukee–Waukesha: $88,890. Racine: $85,920. Green Bay: $84,150. Eau Claire: $83,820. Kenosha: $83,630. Appleton: $83,370. La Crosse: $82,020. Oshkosh: $81,740. Wausau: $80,160.
Is Wisconsin in the Nurse Licensure Compact? Yes. Per NCSBN's current NLC map, Wisconsin's eNLC implementation dates to January 19, 2018.6 Multi-state-license holders from other compact states can work WI assignments without endorsement. (Wisconsin IS compact — not non-compact.)
What happened with Advocate Aurora? Advocate Aurora (Illinois + Wisconsin) merged with Atrium Health (NC + GA + AL) in December 2022 to form Advocate Health — one of the largest non-profit health systems in the U.S. Wisconsin operations continue under the Aurora Health Care brand.
What is Froedtert ThedaCare Health? In 2024, Froedtert Health (Milwaukee academic) merged with ThedaCare (Fox Valley regional) to form Froedtert ThedaCare Health — combining the Milwaukee academic flagship with Fox Valley community system.
Is Wisconsin a right-to-work state? Yes. Wisconsin became right-to-work under 2015 Wisconsin Act 1.9 Private-sector RN union density is low; pay-setting is employer-driven.
What's Wisconsin's state income tax? Wisconsin levies a progressive income tax: 3.50% — 4.40% — 5.30% — 7.65% across brackets (2025 rates).10 RN income typically falls in the 4.40% or 5.30% bracket.
Does Wisconsin grant APRN full practice authority? No. WI APRNs practice under collaborative agreement with a physician per WI Statutes § 441 and Admin Code N 8.8
How much do Wisconsin travel nurses earn? Milwaukee weekly gross 2026: $1,750 (med-surg) to $2,950 (CVICU/NICU crisis). Madison comparable. Green Bay / Fox Valley / Eau Claire 5–10% below. Real take-home 18–28% below headline.
Is specialty certification worth it in Wisconsin? Yes. Advocate/Aurora, Froedtert ThedaCare, UW Health, Marshfield, Gundersen, Ascension, SSM publish codified differentials. Magnet facilities typically exceed baseline.
Sources
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), "29-1141 Registered Nurses," May 2024 data release, Wisconsin state and metro tables. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_wi.htm and https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291141.htm ↩↩↩↩
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Advocate Health — About (December 2022 Advocate Aurora + Atrium merger). https://www.advocatehealth.org/ ↩
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Froedtert ThedaCare Health — About (2024 merger). https://www.froedtertthedacare.org/ ↩
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UW Health — About. https://www.uwhealth.org/about ↩
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Marshfield Clinic Health System. https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/ ; Children's Wisconsin https://childrenswi.org/ ↩
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NCSBN Nurse Licensure Compact — Wisconsin status, eNLC implementation per NCSBN map. https://www.ncsbn.org/nurse-licensure-compact.htm ↩↩↩↩
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Wisconsin Board of Nursing / DSPS — Nurse Licensure. https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/Nurse/Default.aspx ↩↩
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Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 441 — Nurses; Wisconsin Admin Code N 8 — APRN scope of practice. https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/441 and https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/n/8 ↩↩
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2015 Wisconsin Act 1 — Right-to-Work. https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2015/related/acts/1 ↩↩
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Wisconsin Department of Revenue — Individual Income Tax Rates. https://www.revenue.wi.gov/Pages/FAQS/pcs-rates.aspx ↩↩
