LPN Salary

Milwaukee vs Pewaukee: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Milwaukee, WI and Pewaukee, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Milwaukee, WI
$69,138
$33.24/hr
Pewaukee, WI
$64,457
$30.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WIPewaukee, WI
Median Salary$69,138$64,457
Hourly Rate$33.24$30.99
Entry Level (P10)$58,790$51,965
25th Percentile$64,710$59,686
75th Percentile$82,203$73,794
Top Earner (P90)$84,380$75,561
Total Employed1,8904
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($69,138) and Pewaukee ($64,457) licensed practical nurse salaries.MilwaukeePewaukeeMedian Salary$69,138$64,457Entry Level (P10)$58,790$51,965Top Earner (P90)$84,380$75,561US Median $68,071

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pewaukee.

The salary gap between Milwaukee and Pewaukee is $4,681 (7.26%). Milwaukee's median is +1.57% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Milwaukee spans $25,590,Pewaukee spans $23,596. Milwaukee has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$58,790
P25$64,710
Median$69,138
P75$82,203
P90 (Top)$84,380
Pewaukee
P10 (Entry)$51,965
P25$59,686
Median$64,457
P75$73,794
P90 (Top)$75,561

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($71,323 effective) pays 3.35% more than Pewaukee ($69,012 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $69,138
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $71,323
Pewaukee
Nominal: $64,457
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $69,012

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,138/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($84,380)
  • Larger job market (1,890 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,323)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Pewaukee if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Milwaukee grew 28.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 22.4% growth in Pewaukee over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+28.7%

$50,840 (2019) → $65,410 (2025)

Pewaukee, WI

+22.4%

$49,836 (2024) → $60,981 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Milwaukee or Pewaukee?

Milwaukee has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $69,138/year, compared to Pewaukee at $64,457/year — a difference of $4,681 (7.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and Pewaukee?

Milwaukee licensed practical nurses earn $33.24/hr while Pewaukee hygienists earn $30.99/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukee to Pewaukee as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and Pewaukee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $71,323, Pewaukee = $69,012), job availability (1,890 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Milwaukee vs Pewaukee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $58,790 in Milwaukee and $51,965 in Pewaukee. The Milwaukee area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Thompson, LPNData verified by Maria Gonzalez, LPN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov