Wisconsin ranks 26th of 51 states and D.C. for registered nurses pay, trailing top-paying California ($140,330) by $54,260 — a 63% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $74,970 to $109,270 — a $34,300 spread, 50% tighter than the national $69,290 range.
Wisconsin employs roughly 2.0% of all registered nurses in the country (64,960 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $74,970 | $36.04 |
| 25th percentile | $79,570 | $38.25 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $86,070 | $41.38 |
| 75th percentile | $100,680 | $48.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,270 | $52.53 |
| Mean (average) | $90,450 | $43.48 |
How Wisconsin Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin (current) | $86,070 | n/a |
| California | $140,330 | +63% |
| Hawaii | $136,320 | +58% |
| Oregon | $123,990 | +44% |
| Washington | $112,180 | +30% |
| Alaska | $110,690 | +29% |
| New York | $105,600 | +23% |
| District of Columbia | $104,550 | +21% |
| New Jersey | $102,730 | +19% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Wisconsin
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Labor Relations Specialists | $85,620 | 2,010 |
| Occupational Therapists | $86,660 | 3,620 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $85,390 | 1,280 |
| Art Directors | $85,370 | 580 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $85,290 | 5,550 |
| Financial Examiners | $84,430 | 710 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Registered Nurses salary in Wisconsin?
The mean registered nurses salary in Wisconsin is $90,450 per year. The median (middle) salary is $86,070 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Registered Nurses in Wisconsin?
Entry-level registered nursess (10th percentile) in Wisconsin typically earn around $74,970 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $79,570 per year.
What is the highest Registered Nurses salary in Wisconsin?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Wisconsin make approximately $109,270 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $100,680 per year.
How does the Wisconsin Registered Nurses salary compare to the national average?
The median registered nurses salary in Wisconsin is $86,070, which is -8% below national average of $93,600.