Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Madison, WI: $68,229 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Madison, WI earns a median $68,229/year (≈ $32.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Madison's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $70,132 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In the realm of nursing opportunities, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Madison, Wisconsin, find themselves with competitive compensation, highlighted by a median annual salary of $68,229 for 2026. When comparing this figure to the national median of $68,071, it shows a slight advantage of 0.23% in local licensing pay. The salary range for LPNs in the area spans from $58,981 to $83,894, indicating a healthy variance based on factors such as work setting and experience. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and reflects how the choice between skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and clinic environments can significantly influence earnings. As a result, those in long-term care may observe higher wages than their counterparts in home health, shaping an intriguing job market for prospective and current nursing professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,981 | $28.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,192 | $30.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,229 | $32.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,550 | $38.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,894 | $40.34 |
Median Salary Position
0.23% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madison
In Madison, WI, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,913 (2026 est.). At $68,229, the local median is 0.23% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madison: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madison Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Madison median: $68,229/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madison Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $67,621 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +0.23% more |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madison has a cost of living 2.71% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madison, WI has a cost-of-living index of 97.287 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $68,229 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,132 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.79% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,560
2025 BLS Actual
$64,550
2026 Current Est.
$68,229
2019–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,380 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,310 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,550 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,229 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,118 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madison metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 32.9% from $48,560 (2019) to $64,550 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,118 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,558 (48.51%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $58,981 – $64,192 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,192 – $68,229 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,229 – $79,550 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,550 – $83,894 |
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 Madison
Evaluating the job market reveals that about 650 licensed practical nurses are currently employed in Madison, providing a solid base for local employment opportunities. With a cost-of-living index of 97.287, living expenses in this city are lower than the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of LPN salaries. Among the various work environments, skilled nursing facilities typically offer higher wages compared to home health agencies and physician offices. Factors contributing to the disparity in salaries include shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and weekend or holiday pay premiums common in long-term care. For those looking to maximize earnings in the Madison market, pursuing additional certifications, seeking roles in higher-paying settings, and taking advantage of available extra shifts can be effective strategies to enhance overall licensed practical nurse pay 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
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 $64,550 for licensed practical nursesin the Madison 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