Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Wausau, WI: $63,801 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Wausau, WI earns a median $63,801/year (≈ $30.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Wausau's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $68,862 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the licensed practical nurse salary in Wausau, Wisconsin, is projected to reach $63,801 annually, slightly below the national median of $68,071. This figure reflects a salary range that spans from $52,269 at the 10th percentile to $78,144 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse compensation landscape. Factors such as shift differentials and weekend premiums play a significant role in enhancing overall compensation for LPNs in the area, especially in long-term care settings. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Employer Occupational Employment Statistics (OEWS) surveys, which illuminate the competitive nature of the job market in Wausau and the demand for skilled nursing professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,269 | $25.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,260 | $28.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,801 | $30.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,265 | $33.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,144 | $37.57 |
Median Salary Position
6.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wausau
In Wausau, WI, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,875 (2026 est.). At $63,801, the local median is 6.27% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wausau: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wausau Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Wausau median: $63,801/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wausau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $67,657 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -6.27% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Wausau, WI earn a median of $63,801 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.27% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 5.70% below the Wisconsin state average of $67,657.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wausau has a cost of living 7.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wausau, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.651 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $63,801 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,862 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,900
2025 BLS Actual
$60,360
2026 Current Est.
$63,801
2019–2027 Growth
+50.2%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,360 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,801 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,437 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wausau metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 34.4% from $44,900 (2019) to $60,360 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,437 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,537 (50.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wausau 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) | $52,269 – $60,260 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,260 – $63,801 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,801 – $69,265 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,265 – $78,144 |
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 Wausau
For licensed practical nurses currently practicing in Wausau, the job market appears stable with approximately 150 LPNs employed in the area. The city has a cost of living index of 92.651, suggesting that the purchasing power of LPNs can be relatively favorable despite slightly lower salaries compared to national averages. Skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and hospitals represent the primary employers within the local sector, with skilled nursing providing some of the highest compensation due to the demands of ongoing patient care. The disparities in pay can often be attributed to factors like the work setting, the presence of shift differentials, and additional certifications such as IV therapy. LPNs looking to maximize their earnings should consider pursuing further certification, especially in areas valued by employers, such as charge nurse roles and areas offering weekend/holiday differentials, to enhance their competitive edge in Wausau's nursing job market.
More salary data for Wausau, 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 $60,360 for licensed practical nursesin the Wausau 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