Nurse Practitioner Pay

Milwaukee vs South Milwaukee: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Milwaukee, WI and South Milwaukee, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Milwaukee, WI
$138,985
$66.82/hr
South Milwaukee, WI
$129,338
$62.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WISouth Milwaukee, WI
Median Salary$138,985$129,338
Hourly Rate$66.82$62.18
Entry Level (P10)$113,123$102,744
25th Percentile$131,857$116,047
75th Percentile$154,678$145,172
Top Earner (P90)$174,582$166,130
Total Employed1,4506
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($138,985) and South Milwaukee ($129,338) nurse practitioner salaries.MilwaukeeSouth MilwaukeeMedian Salary$138,985$129,338Entry Level (P10)$113,123$102,744Top Earner (P90)$174,582$166,130US Median $136,864

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to South Milwaukee.

The salary gap between Milwaukee and South Milwaukee is $9,647 (7.46%). Milwaukee's median is +1.55% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Milwaukee spans $61,459,South Milwaukee spans $63,386. South Milwaukee has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse practitioners.

Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$113,123
P25$131,857
Median$138,985
P75$154,678
P90 (Top)$174,582
South Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$102,744
P25$116,047
Median$129,338
P75$145,172
P90 (Top)$166,130

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($143,377 effective) pays 3.54% more than South Milwaukee ($138,478 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $138,985
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $143,377
South Milwaukee
Nominal: $129,338
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $138,478

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($138,985/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($174,582)
  • Larger job market (1,450 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $143,377)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose South Milwaukee if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Milwaukee grew 18.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 11.8% growth in South Milwaukee over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+18.3%

$113,600 (2019) → $134,350 (2025)

South Milwaukee, WI

+11.8%

$111,804 (2024) → $125,025 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Milwaukee or South Milwaukee?

Milwaukee has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $138,985/year, compared to South Milwaukee at $129,338/year — a difference of $9,647 (7.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and South Milwaukee?

Milwaukee nurse practitioners earn $66.82/hr while South Milwaukee hygienists earn $62.18/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukee to South Milwaukee as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and South Milwaukee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $143,377, South Milwaukee = $138,478), job availability (1,450 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Milwaukee vs South Milwaukee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $113,123 in Milwaukee and $102,744 in South Milwaukee. The Milwaukee area offers higher starting salaries.
MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, DNP, APRNData verified by Aisha Khan, MSN, FNP-BC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.45% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov