Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Sun Prairie, WI: $65,732 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Sun Prairie, WI earns a median $65,732/year (≈ $31.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Sun Prairie's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $70,377 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Licensed practical nurses in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, can expect a median annual salary of $65,732 in 2026, reflecting local adjustments based on BLS state-level data. The range for salaries extends from $50,062 at the 10th percentile to $84,370 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating notable variance within the profession. Shift differentials and weekend premiums significantly enhance earnings in long-term care settings, which often require flexibility and dedication. With compensation levels slightly below the national median of $68,071, the localized pay structure necessitates strategic workforce planning to attract and retain skilled LPNs in the area.
About the Sun Prairie Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,062 | $24.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,967 | $30.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,732 | $31.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,987 | $37.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,370 | $40.57 |
Median Salary Position
3.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sun Prairie
In Sun Prairie, WI, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,308 (2026 est.). At $65,732, the local median is 3.44% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sun Prairie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sun Prairie Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Sun Prairie median: $65,732/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sun Prairie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $67,625 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -3.44% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Sun Prairie, WI earn a median of $65,732 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.44% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $67,625.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sun Prairie 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.
Sun Prairie, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $65,732 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,377 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$45,848
2025 BLS Actual
$62,187
2026 Current Est.
$65,732
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Sun Prairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,848 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,142 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,418 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,743 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,677 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,822 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,187 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,732 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,478 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sun Prairie metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $45,848 (2019) to $62,187 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,478 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,630 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sun Prairie 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) | $50,062 – $62,967 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,967 – $65,732 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,732 – $77,987 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,987 – $84,370 |
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 Sun Prairie
The employment landscape for licensed practical nurses in Sun Prairie shows a tight-knit market, with only nine LPNs currently employed. This limited workforce is impacted by the region's cost of living, as indicated by a cost-of-living index of 93.4, which allows for more favorable purchasing power when compared to many other areas. Skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest wages among local employers, surpassing home health agencies, physician offices, and even some hospitals. The differences in licensed practical nurse pay in Sun Prairie, WI, can be attributed to various factors, including the complexity of care settings, demands for IV therapy certification, and additional stipends for weekend or holiday shifts. For those looking to maximize earnings, focusing on gaining experience in long-term care or obtaining specialized certifications can enhance earning potential while providing invaluable service to the community.
More salary data for Sun Prairie, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Sun Prairie, WI in 2026?
Is Sun Prairie, WI a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Sun Prairie?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Sun Prairie?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Sun Prairie?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 $62,187 for licensed practical nursesin the Sun Prairie 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 Sun Prairie 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