Healthcare Resource
Registered Nurse Salary in Wisconsin 2026: City-by-City Pay Data
In brief
RN salary data for Wisconsin in 2026: average $72K, Milwaukee vs Madison breakdown, UW Health/Advocate Aurora pay rates, top employers, highest-paying specialties.
In this article
The average registered nurse salary in Wisconsin in 2026 is $72,400/year ($34.81/hour). Madison (UW Health, Froedtert/MCW) and Milwaukee (Advocate Aurora, Froedtert) are the primary markets; Green Bay and Appleton are secondary markets with regional employers.
RN Salary by City in Wisconsin
| City / Metro | Avg Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Madison | $79,200 | UW Health, academic premium; transplant and cancer specialties top-paid |
| Milwaukee Metro | $77,000 | Advocate Aurora, Froedtert/MCW, Ascension WI |
| Green Bay | $67,500 | HSHS St. Vincent, Prevea Health, Bellin Health |
| Appleton / Fox Valley | $66,000 | ThedaCare, HSHS St. Elizabeth |
| La Crosse | $65,800 | Gundersen Health, Mayo Clinic Health System, western WI |
Highest-Paying Nursing Specialties in Wisconsin
| Specialty | Avg Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| CRNA | $200,000 |
| ICU / Critical Care RN | $90,000 |
| OR / Surgical RN | $86,000 |
| Cardiac / Cath Lab RN | $88,000 |
| Emergency RN | $82,000 |
Top Wisconsin Healthcare Employers for RNs
- Advocate Aurora Health, largest WI employer by RN count; WI/IL consolidated system with strong total comp
- UW Health (Madison), academic premium; transplant, oncology, and pediatric specialty pay top rates statewide
- Froedtert & MCW (Milwaukee), academic system; Level I trauma and cancer specialty premiums
- Gundersen Health (La Crosse), western WI/eastern MN/IA market; Magnet-designated
Compact License Status
Wisconsin is an NLC compact state. RNs with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Wisconsin without a separate endorsement.
Wisconsin RN Job Market Outlook
Milwaukee metro is a strong market driven by Advocate Aurora's scale and Froedtert's academic expansion. Travel RN rates in Milwaukee/Madison run $1,800-$2,300/week. Rural WI (northern/western corridors) has critical access hospital demand with relocation and loan repayment incentives.
Related: RN Salary Minnesota 2026, RN Salary Illinois 2026, Wisconsin RN License Guide.
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