Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Wisconsin Rapids, WI: $62,025 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Wisconsin Rapids, WI earns a median $62,025/year (≈ $29.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Wisconsin Rapids's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $66,408 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.3% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Wisconsin Rapids can expect a median annual salary of $62,025, which reflects an ongoing trend in local compensation amid specific state scope-of-practice regulations. These professionals, empowered to perform IV therapy and conduct assessments, can navigate a salary range from $51,247 at the 10th percentile to $74,230 at the 90th percentile. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities, indicate that while LPN salaries in Wisconsin Rapids fall roughly 8.88% below the national median of $68,071, localized compensation levels are shaped by the area’s healthcare needs and employment context. The principles governing LPN practice in WI are instrumental in determining pay structures, influencing not just salary figures but also the career paths available to practical nurses in the region.
About the Wisconsin Rapids Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,247 | $24.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,936 | $27.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,025 | $29.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,449 | $33.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,230 | $35.68 |
Median Salary Position
8.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wisconsin Rapids
In Wisconsin Rapids, WI, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,983 (2026 est.). At $62,025, the local median is 8.88% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wisconsin Rapids: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wisconsin Rapids Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Wisconsin Rapids median: $62,025/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wisconsin Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $67,639 | -8.30% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -8.88% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Wisconsin Rapids, WI earn a median of $62,025 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.88% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 8.30% below the Wisconsin state average of $67,639.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wisconsin Rapids 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.
Wisconsin Rapids, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $62,025 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,408 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,263
2025 BLS Actual
$58,680
2026 Current Est.
$62,025
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Wisconsin Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,263 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,484 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,800 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,769 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,425 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,956 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,680 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,025 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,560 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wisconsin Rapids metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $43,263 (2019) to $58,680 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,560 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,297 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin Rapids 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) | $51,247 – $56,936 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,936 – $62,025 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,025 – $70,449 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,449 – $74,230 |
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 Wisconsin Rapids
With only five licensed practical nurses currently employed in Wisconsin Rapids, the job market for this profession remains competitive but somewhat limited. The local cost of living index stands at 93.4, suggesting that those earning in the region may find their take-home pay stretches further than in many other markets. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest compensation, followed closely by home health agencies, whereas physician offices generally pay less. The salary disparity is often influenced by factors such as shift differentials, certifications like IV therapy, and premiums for weekend or holiday shifts in long-term care settings. For those looking to maximize earnings in Wisconsin Rapids, seeking positions in skilled nursing facilities or obtaining specialized certifications are effective strategies to enhance licensed practical nurse pay in Wisconsin Rapids, WI.
More salary data for Wisconsin Rapids, 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 $58,680 for licensed practical nursesin the Wisconsin Rapids 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 Wisconsin Rapids 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