Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Madison, WI: $32.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Madison, WI runs $32.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,229 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Madison's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,946 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Madison, Wisconsin, licensed practical nurses earn a median hourly rate of $32.81, outpacing the national median of $32.73. This rate reflects competitive compensation for those working in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health care, and physician offices. For part-time LPNs working three days a week, this wage can provide a reasonable income, particularly when healthcare access and flexible schedules are essential. Additionally, the hourly pay ranges from $28.36 for entry-level positions to $40.34 for experienced nurses, allowing room for advancement and negotiation. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing a clear picture of the expected earnings landscape for practical nursing professionals in this region.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.36 | $226.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.86 | $246.92 |
| Median (P50) | $32.81 | $262.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.25 | $306.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.34 | $322.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Madison
Based on $32.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.81/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Madison, WI can expect to earn approximately $68,243 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,371. With a cost-of-living index of 97.29 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Madison.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Madison
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,312.37 | $5,687 | $68,243 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $787.42 | $3,412 | $40,946 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $524.95 | $2,275 | $27,297 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Madison) | $32.81 |
| 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 Madison, WI earn a median of $68,229 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.23% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 0.90% above the Wisconsin state average of $67,621.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.81/hr = $40,946/year (purchasing power: $42,088).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,243/year (purchasing power: $70,146).
CoL index: 97.287 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Madison grew 33.0% from $23.34/hr (2019) to $31.04/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.68/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 Madison 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 Madison
Considering part-time arrangements, a licensed practical nurse working 24 hours per week would see an annual income equating to a substantial figure, although less than that of full-time counterparts. The per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Madison can vary widely, with rates ranging from $28 to $42 per hour, and even higher for agency nurses who may command $45–$60 in understaffed facilities. Positions in different employer types, such as correctional facilities or hospice care, can influence hourly earnings significantly. While some LPNs may opt for lower-paying positions with benefits, others might pursue roles that offer higher hourly rates without added health insurance. Negotiating for fair pay can be integral in this market, especially as the demand for skilled nursing care continues to grow, with a projected annual growth rate of 5.70%. Understanding these dynamics is key for LPNs navigating their careers in Madison, WI.
More salary data for Madison, 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 Madison. 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