Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Appleton, WI: $69,022 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Appleton, WI earns a median $69,022/year (≈ $33.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Appleton's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.4), that paycheck buys what $74,684 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Licensed practical nurses in Appleton, Wisconsin, can expect a median annual salary of $69,022 in 2026, positioning them slightly above the national average of $68,071. With a salary range spanning from $52,892 at the 10th percentile to $82,805 at the 90th percentile, these figures reflect the diverse settings in which LPNs operate. Many find employment in skilled nursing facilities, clinics, and home health agencies, each offering unique compensation packages influenced by the type of care provided. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrates how job choice impacts earning potential in the local healthcare market, particularly in a city like Appleton where skilled nursing typically commands higher wages.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,892 | $25.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,251 | $30.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,022 | $33.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,763 | $39.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,805 | $39.81 |
Median Salary Position
1.40% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Appleton
In Appleton, WI, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,913 (2026 est.). At $69,022, the local median is 1.4% above the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Appleton: You'd be above the median
How Appleton Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Appleton median: $69,022/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Appleton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $67,669 | +2.00% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +1.40% more |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Appleton has a cost of living 7.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Appleton, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.419 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $69,022 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,684 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.2% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,810
2025 BLS Actual
$65,300
2026 Current Est.
$69,022
2019–2027 Growth
+49.5%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,810 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,900 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,300 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,022 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,956 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Appleton metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 33.8% from $48,810 (2019) to $65,300 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,956 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,146 (49.47%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $52,892 – $63,251 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,251 – $69,022 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,022 – $82,763 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,763 – $82,805 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Appleton
Analyzing the local job market reveals that Appleton employs approximately 370 licensed practical nurses, offering a solid opportunity for those entering the field. The cost-of-living index in Appleton is 92.419, suggesting a favorable economic environment that enhances spending power despite potential housing and transportation costs. Top-paying employers include skilled nursing facilities and certain hospitals, which often provide additional compensation for shifts during weekends, holidays, and specialty services like IV therapy. The variation in pay can also be attributed to the work setting, with skilled nursing jobs consistently offering higher wages than those found in home health or physician offices. For LPNs aiming to maximize their salaries, pursuing certifications and being flexible with work hours can lead to more lucrative positions in facilities that value specialized skills and experience.
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $65,300 for licensed practical nursesin the Appleton metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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