Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Green Bay, WI: $53,294 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Green Bay, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $53,294 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Green Bay's local price level (BEA RPP 93.1 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $57,252 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($64,255) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the field of practical nursing in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the starting licensed practical nurse salary offers a range that illustrates the entry-level landscape quite well. With a minimum expected salary of $53,294, those beginning their careers can anticipate a gap when compared to the city’s median salary of $64,255. Fortunately, growth opportunities exist, as new LPNs may find their pay progressing through levels like $57,427 and potentially reaching the city median within their first three to five years. As the healthcare job market continues to expand, Green Bay presents a favorable environment for new graduates seeking to launch their practical nursing careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Green Bay
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Green Bay
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Green Bay, WI typically start between $53,294 and $57,427 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $24,734 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $64,255 — 5.61% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Wisconsin of $12,000 represents just 22.52% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($53,294/year) in Green Bay. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on state board of nursing-approved practical nursing programs and ACEN-accredited certificate pathways. Tuition varies by community college, technical school, or hospital-based program setting.
LPN Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Green Bay
- 1Research the Green Bay market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $53,294 to $57,427, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Green Bay, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Green Bay for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Green Bay's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Licensed Practical Nurse Compensation Range
The licensed practical nurse wage spread in Green Bay is $24,734 ( 46.41%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $53,294, experienced hygienists can earn up to $78,028.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,980
2025 BLS Actual
$50,420
2026 Current Est.
$53,294
2019–2027 Growth
+65.8%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Green Bay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,840 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,294 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,332 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Green Bay, WI grew 48.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $33,980 in 2019 to $50,420 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $56,332. New graduates entering the Green Bay job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Green Bay metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your nursing Career in Green Bay
When considering employment opportunities, several local healthcare providers actively recruit entry-level licensed practical nurses. Skilled nursing facilities are particularly well-known for hiring new graduates, often providing comprehensive on-the-job training to help them acclimate to the demands of the role. Additionally, home health agencies frequently appeal to those seeking flexible schedules, while physician offices often prefer candidates with some clinic experience. To enhance starting pay in Wisconsin, obtaining an active LPN license through the state board and a diploma from an accredited practical nursing program are essential. Furthermore, advancement prospects often lead to LPN-to-RN bridge programs, where the focus can shift from long-term care, which employs a significant portion (about 35%) of LPNs, to hospital settings that increasingly favor RN staffing models. Despite a slower salary growth rate in the early years, LPNs in Green Bay can look forward to building a solid foundation within just a few years of their careers.
More salary data for Green Bay, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Green Bay. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov