Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Onalaska, WI: $68,501 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Onalaska, WI earns a median $68,501/year (≈ $32.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Onalaska's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $73,342 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Onalaska, Wisconsin, the licensed practical nurse salary is projected to reach a median annual figure of $68,501 in 2026, slightly surpassing the national median of $68,071. The local salary range indicates earning potential from $54,900 at the 10th percentile to $80,436 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse roles LPNs can take on within the state's scope of practice, which includes responsibilities such as IV therapy and patient assessments. This projected salary data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates and adjusted for regional cost variations, puts Onalaska's LPN compensation in a competitive light considering the cost of living index stands at 93.4, indicating a below-average cost of living in the area.
About the Onalaska Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,900 | $26.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,103 | $31.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,501 | $32.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,849 | $36.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,436 | $38.68 |
Median Salary Position
0.63% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Onalaska
In Onalaska, WI, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,536 (2026 est.). At $68,501, the local median is 0.63% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Onalaska: You'd be above the median
How Onalaska Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Onalaska median: $68,501/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Onalaska Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $67,622 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +0.63% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Onalaska, WI earn a median of $68,501 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.63% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 1.30% above the Wisconsin state average of $67,622.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Onalaska has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Onalaska, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $68,501 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,342 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,780
2025 BLS Actual
$64,807
2026 Current Est.
$68,501
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Onalaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,780 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,129 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,374 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,965 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,107 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,825 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,807 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,501 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,406 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Onalaska metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $47,780 (2019) to $64,807 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,406 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,626 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Onalaska 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) | $54,900 – $66,103 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,103 – $68,501 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,501 – $76,849 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,849 – $80,436 |
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 Onalaska
The job market for licensed practical nurses in Onalaska is relatively compact, with only four LPNs employed locally. Despite this limited workforce, the competitive pay landscape offers opportunities through various healthcare settings. Skilled nursing facilities and long-term care typically provide the highest wages, particularly when factoring in shift differentials and certification stipends—such as those for IV therapy. Home health agencies and physician offices tend to offer lower salaries, which emphasizes the importance of seeking positions within long-term care for maximum earning potential. Additionally, working weekends or holidays can yield extra premiums, further enhancing take-home pay. To optimize earnings, LPNs in Onalaska should consider pursuing additional certifications, which could make them more valuable to employers, and actively seek roles in higher-paying facilities.
More salary data for Onalaska, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Onalaska, WI in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Onalaska?
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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 $64,807 for licensed practical nursesin the Onalaska 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
Salary data for Onalaska is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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