Entry-Level Nurse Practitioner Salary in Kenosha, WI: $108,643 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse practitioners entering the Kenosha, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $108,643 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1171, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kenosha's local price level (BEA RPP 101.1 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $107,442 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($136,771) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the nurse practitioner workforce in Kenosha, Wisconsin, can anticipate a starting salary around $108,643 in 2026. While this entry-level figure is lower than the city's median annual pay of $136,771, the trajectory for salary growth is promising. During their first few years of practice, new NPs can expect their earnings to increase through gradual steps. With experience, they may reach a salary of approximately $124,388 within 3-5 years, positioning themselves closer to the industry median. Given the local demand for healthcare professionals, including in primary care and urgent care settings, Kenosha currently represents a solid opportunity for newly minted nurse practitioners seeking to establish their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Kenosha
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kenosha
Entry-level nurse practitioners in Kenosha, WI typically start between $108,643 and $124,388 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $85,015 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $136,771 — 0.07% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average advanced practice nursing program cost in Wisconsin of $80,000 represents just 73.64% of the starting nurse practitioner pay ($108,643/year) in Kenosha. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CCNE- and ACEN-accredited graduate nursing programs. Tuition varies significantly between public in-state MSN programs and private DNP programs, and often requires completed BSN coursework as a prerequisite.
NP Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Kenosha
- 1Research the Kenosha market: entry-level nurse practitioner pay ranges from $108,643 to $124,388, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the advanced practice nursing field — employers in WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Kenosha, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Kenosha for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Kenosha's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Nurse Practitioner Compensation Range
The nurse practitioner wage spread in Kenosha is $85,015 ( 78.25%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $108,643, experienced hygienists can earn up to $193,658.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$84,366
2025 BLS Actual
$105,020
2026 Current Est.
$108,643
2019–2027 Growth
+33.2%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Kenosha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,366 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,973 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,356 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,512 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,963 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,643 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,391 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse practitioner compensation (10th percentile) in Kenosha, WI grew 24.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $84,366 in 2019 to $105,020 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $112,391. New graduates entering the Kenosha job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kenosha 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 3.45% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your advanced practice nursing Career in Kenosha
A range of healthcare providers in Kenosha actively hire new graduate nurse practitioners, especially primary care offices and urgent care chains that offer structured onboarding programs. Additionally, larger hospital systems often provide residency or fellowship opportunities, which can be advantageous for early-career NPs. To enhance their starting pay, aspiring nurse practitioners in Wisconsin should focus on obtaining essential certifications, including an active RN license, an MSN or DNP from an accredited institution, and national certification from either ANCC or AANP. Since NP practice authority can differ dramatically across the U.S., it’s also worthwhile for new grads to be aware that Wisconsin allows for collaborative agreements, offering a pathway for those looking to practice independently. Graduates focused on specializing, particularly in mental health as PMHNPs, may find even better salary prospects in the burgeoning telehealth sector. Managing realistic salary growth expectations during their first three years can set new nurse practitioners on a path for success in the evolving healthcare landscape of Kenosha.
More salary data for Kenosha, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for nurse practitioners in Kenosha in 2026?
How fast do nurse practitioner salaries grow in Kenosha?
Is advanced practice nursing school worth it in Kenosha?
What do new nurse practitioners make right out of school in Kenosha?
How do I become a nurse practitioner in Wisconsin?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new advanced practice nursing graduates. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Kenosha. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
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