Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Wauwatosa, WI: $64,130 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Wauwatosa, WI earns a median $64,130/year (≈ $30.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Wauwatosa's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $68,662 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurse pay in Wauwatosa, WI, is projected to reach a median annual salary of $64,130. This figure is slightly below the national median of $68,071, making it about 5.79% less than the national average. Local salaries vary significantly, with a range from $51,550 at the 10th percentile to $81,549 at the 90th percentile. The competitive salaries can be attributed to the state's scope-of-practice regulations, which permit LPNs to engage in IV therapy and assessment, expanding their role within healthcare settings. These salary estimates, based on 2025 BLS data, consider local economic conditions, including cost-of-living adjustments, offering valuable context for those evaluating employment opportunities as licensed practical nurses in Wauwatosa.
About the Wauwatosa Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,550 | $24.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,526 | $28.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,130 | $30.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,619 | $36.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,549 | $39.20 |
Median Salary Position
5.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wauwatosa
In Wauwatosa, WI, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,999 (2026 est.). At $64,130, the local median is 5.79% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wauwatosa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wauwatosa Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Wauwatosa median: $64,130/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wauwatosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $67,648 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -5.79% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Wauwatosa, WI earn a median of $64,130 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.79% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 5.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $67,648.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wauwatosa 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.
Wauwatosa, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $64,130 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,662 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
$44,731
2025 BLS Actual
$60,672
2026 Current Est.
$64,130
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Wauwatosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,731 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,994 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,287 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,458 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,272 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,584 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,672 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,130 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,786 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wauwatosa metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $44,731 (2019) to $60,672 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,786 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,055 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wauwatosa 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) | $51,550 – $59,526 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,526 – $64,130 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,130 – $75,619 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,619 – $81,549 |
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 Wauwatosa
In Wauwatosa, there are currently 10 licensed practical nurses employed within the area, indicating a stable job market for this profession. The cost of living index sits at 93.4, suggesting that everyday expenses are lower than the national average, positively affecting take-home income for nurses. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest pay compared to other healthcare settings, such as home health agencies or physician offices. Variances in compensation can occur based on factors like shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and additional pay for working weekends or holidays in long-term care environments. To maximize earning potential, LPNs should consider specializing in high-demand areas like IV therapy and actively pursue opportunities in long-term care settings, where the majority of LPN employment resides. Taking advantage of LPN-to-RN bridge programs can also enhance career prospects and lead to higher-paying roles in the future.
More salary data for Wauwatosa, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Wauwatosa, WI in 2026?
Is Wauwatosa, WI a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Wauwatosa?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Wauwatosa?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Wauwatosa?
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 $60,672 for licensed practical nursesin the Wauwatosa 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 Wauwatosa 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