Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Wisconsin: $67,565 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Wisconsin's 46 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $67,565/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Wisconsin sits at BEA RPP 93.4 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $72,339 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Waukesha ($66,234), Milwaukee ($65,410), Kenosha ($65,350).
In 2026, the average median salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Wisconsin is projected to be $67,564, slightly below the national median of $68,071. This represents a difference of -0.7%, indicating that while Wisconsin's salaries are relatively comparable on a national scale, there are variations within the state. Waukesha offers the highest salary for LPNs at $70,009, while Wisconsin Rapids presents the lowest at $62,025, creating a salary gap of $7,984. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in different regions. Wisconsin's state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws for LPNs also play a role in shaping salaries. As healthcare continues to evolve, the demand for skilled LPNs is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.70%, driven by an aging population and an expanding healthcare sector. The total number of employed LPNs in the state is expected to be 5,589, indicating a stable job market. Major cities like Milwaukee ($69,138), Kenosha ($69,075), Appleton ($69,022), and Fond du Lac ($68,990) reflect similar trends in compensation, suggesting that opportunities for LPNs remain strong in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Wisconsin: $49,631 (lowest entry-level) to $87,342 (highest top earner)
Wisconsin vs National Average
Wisconsin licensed practical nurses earn 0.74% less than the national median ($-506/year difference).
Wisconsin Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Wisconsin range from $56,447 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $82,293 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $67,565. The Wisconsin median is $506 below the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $32.48/hr. Approximately 5,589 licensed practical nurses are employed across 46 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,665
2025 BLS Actual
$63,921
2026 Current Est.
$67,565
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Wisconsin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,665 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,611 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,201 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,102 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,968 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,768 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,921 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,565 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,416 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wisconsin metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 34.1% from $47,665 (2019) to $63,921 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,416 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,751 (49.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
Lowest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin Rapids | $62,025 |
| Middleton | $62,544 |
| Platteville | $63,215 |
| Mequon | $63,220 |
| River Falls | $63,744 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Wisconsin
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Wisconsin cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fond du Lac | $68,990 | 91.643 | $75,281 |
| Waukesha | $70,009 | 93.4 | $74,956 |
| Appleton | $69,022 | 92.419 | $74,684 |
| La Crosse | $67,595 | 91.769 | $73,658 |
| Onalaska | $68,501 | 93.4 | $73,342 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Wisconsin
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $56,447 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $67,565 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $82,293 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Wisconsin metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 46 Cities in Wisconsin
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waukesha | $70,009 |
| 2 | Milwaukee | $69,138 |
| 3 | Kenosha | $69,075 |
| 4 | Appleton | $69,022 |
| 5 | Fond du Lac | $68,990 |
| 6 | Racine | $68,546 |
| 7 | Onalaska | $68,501 |
| 8 | Mount Pleasant | $68,445 |
| 9 | Madison | $68,229 |
| 10 | Beloit | $67,802 |
| 11 | West Allis | $67,703 |
| 12 | Janesville | $67,648 |
| 13 | La Crosse | $67,595 |
| 14 | Fitchburg | $67,254 |
| 15 | Greenfield | $67,248 |
| 16 | Menomonee Falls | $66,666 |
| 17 | Brookfield | $66,509 |
| 18 | West Bend | $66,472 |
| 19 | De Pere | $66,419 |
| 20 | Sheboygan | $66,401 |
| 21 | New Berlin | $66,293 |
| 22 | Sun Prairie | $65,732 |
| 23 | Caledonia | $65,553 |
| 24 | Muskego | $65,411 |
| 25 | Stevens Point | $65,107 |
| 26 | Franklin | $65,033 |
| 27 | Oak Creek | $64,829 |
| 28 | Superior | $64,729 |
| 29 | Manitowoc | $64,697 |
| 30 | Pewaukee | $64,457 |
| 31 | Oshkosh | $64,435 |
| 32 | Eau Claire | $64,424 |
| 33 | South Milwaukee | $64,269 |
| 34 | Pleasant Prairie | $64,258 |
| 35 | Green Bay | $64,255 |
| 36 | Menomonie | $64,192 |
| 37 | Whitewater | $64,187 |
| 38 | Wauwatosa | $64,130 |
| 39 | Germantown | $64,085 |
| 40 | Marshfield | $64,059 |
| 41 | Wausau | $63,801 |
| 42 | River Falls | $63,744 |
| 43 | Mequon | $63,220 |
| 44 | Platteville | $63,215 |
| 45 | Middleton | $62,544 |
| 46 | Wisconsin Rapids | $62,025 |
More Wisconsin Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Wisconsin cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Wisconsin in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Wisconsin?
How does Wisconsin licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Wisconsin?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Wisconsin?
Which Wisconsin city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across Wisconsin. State averages are employment-weighted across 46 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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