Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Appleton, WI: $33.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Appleton, WI runs $33.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,022 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Appleton's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.4, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,408 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Appleton, Wisconsin, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay is pegged at a median rate of $33.18, which slightly outstrips the national hourly median of $32.73. This rate has significant implications for part-time and per-diem LPNs, who frequently operate within various healthcare settings, including skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies. For instance, those working three days a week might find their earnings sufficient for a comfortable lifestyle while enjoying a flexible schedule. The hourly range in Appleton spans from $25.43 at the lower end for entry-level positions to $39.81 for experienced nurses, reflecting the diverse opportunities within the profession. These figures come from official projections based on 2025 BLS data, underscoring the growing importance of LPN roles in meeting healthcare needs in the local community.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.43 | $203.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.41 | $243.28 |
| Median (P50) | $33.18 | $265.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.79 | $318.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.81 | $318.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Appleton
Based on $33.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.18/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Appleton, WI can expect to earn approximately $69,013 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,815. With a cost-of-living index of 92.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Appleton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Appleton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,327.17 | $5,751 | $69,013 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $796.30 | $3,451 | $41,408 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $530.87 | $2,300 | $27,605 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Appleton) | $33.18 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Appleton, WI earn a median of $69,022 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.40% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 2.00% above the Wisconsin state average of $67,669.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.18/hr = $41,408/year (purchasing power: $44,804).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,013/year (purchasing power: $74,674).
CoL index: 92.419 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Appleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Appleton grew 33.7% from $23.47/hr (2019) to $31.39/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.07/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Appleton 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.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Appleton
Part-time licensed practical nurses in Appleton can expect to earn around $47,649 annually when scheduled for 24 hours a week. This figure highlights the financial reality faced by those opting for less than full-time work. Per-diem licensed practical nurse pay in Appleton can vary widely, with typical billing rates between $28 and $42 per hour; however, LPNs working for agencies in high-demand situations might command impressive rates upwards of $45 to $60 per hour. Hourly compensation also fluctuates across employer types—while skilled nursing facilities may offer stability, agencies and travel roles can provide lucrative opportunities but often come without benefits. Many LPNs weigh these trade-offs carefully, maneuvering through job offers that could either mean higher pay without health insurance or a lower hourly rate with valuable benefits. For those negotiating rates in Appleton, a solid understanding of local pay scales and demands can be a strategic advantage when discussing compensation.
More salary data for Appleton, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for licensed practical nurses in Appleton. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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