Nurse Practitioner Salary in Wisconsin: $135,946 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Wisconsin's 46 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse practitioner pay sits at $135,946/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1171. Because Wisconsin sits at BEA RPP 93.4 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $145,552 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Waukesha ($136,043), Milwaukee ($134,350), Madison ($133,080).
In 2026, nurse practitioners in Wisconsin can expect an average median salary of $135,947, slightly below the national median of $136,864, creating a pay difference of approximately 0.7%. The highest-paying city in the state is Waukesha with a median salary of $140,736, while Wisconsin Rapids falls at the lower end with $124,824, marking a salary gap of $15,912. This variation is driven by factors such as the local cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities. Wisconsin's nurse practitioners operate under specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that emphasize collaboration with other healthcare professionals. The demand for these practitioners is projected to grow at an annual rate of 3.45%, influenced by an aging population, increased access to healthcare, and the ongoing push for comprehensive care models. Key cities like Milwaukee, Madison, Eau Claire, and Kenosha show promising salary levels at $138,985, $137,671, $137,102, and $136,771, respectively. With a total employment figure of 4,179 nurse practitioners in the state, the job market for this profession is expected to remain strong in the near future.
Wisconsin Nurse Practitioner Salary Range
Overall salary range in Wisconsin: $98,077 (lowest entry-level) to $193,658 (highest top earner)
Wisconsin vs National Average
Wisconsin nurse practitioners earn 0.67% less than the national median ($-918/year difference).
Wisconsin Nurse Practitioner Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Practitioner salaries in Wisconsin range from $110,776 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $171,154 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $135,946. The Wisconsin median is $918 below the US national median of $136,864. The average hourly rate is $65.36/hr. Approximately 4,179 nurse practitioners are employed across 46 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$112,087
2025 BLS Actual
$131,413
2026 Current Est.
$135,946
2019–2027 Growth
+25.5%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Wisconsin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,087 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,434 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,688 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,873 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,793 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,413 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,946 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,637 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wisconsin metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 17.2% from $112,087 (2019) to $131,413 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,637 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,550 (25.47%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
Lowest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin Rapids | $124,824 |
| Middleton | $125,868 |
| Platteville | $127,220 |
| Mequon | $127,230 |
| River Falls | $128,284 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Practitioners in Wisconsin
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Wisconsin cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse practitioners.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waukesha | $140,736 | 93.4 | $150,681 |
| Fond du Lac | $136,533 | 91.643 | $148,984 |
| Eau Claire | $137,102 | 92.796 | $147,746 |
| West Allis | $136,251 | 93.4 | $145,879 |
| Mount Pleasant | $135,938 | 93.4 | $145,544 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Wisconsin
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $110,776 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $135,946 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $171,154 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Wisconsin metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 46 Cities in Wisconsin
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waukesha | $140,736 |
| 2 | Milwaukee | $138,985 |
| 3 | Madison | $137,671 |
| 4 | Eau Claire | $137,102 |
| 5 | Kenosha | $136,771 |
| 6 | Fond du Lac | $136,533 |
| 7 | Sheboygan | $136,430 |
| 8 | West Allis | $136,251 |
| 9 | Racine | $136,140 |
| 10 | Mount Pleasant | $135,938 |
| 11 | Fitchburg | $135,347 |
| 12 | Greenfield | $135,336 |
| 13 | Oshkosh | $134,340 |
| 14 | Wausau | $134,195 |
| 15 | Menomonee Falls | $134,163 |
| 16 | Brookfield | $133,847 |
| 17 | West Bend | $133,772 |
| 18 | De Pere | $133,667 |
| 19 | Appleton | $133,482 |
| 20 | New Berlin | $133,413 |
| 21 | Sun Prairie | $132,284 |
| 22 | Green Bay | $131,940 |
| 23 | Caledonia | $131,924 |
| 24 | Muskego | $131,639 |
| 25 | Onalaska | $131,454 |
| 26 | Stevens Point | $131,026 |
| 27 | Franklin | $130,878 |
| 28 | Oak Creek | $130,466 |
| 29 | Superior | $130,265 |
| 30 | Manitowoc | $130,202 |
| 31 | Beloit | $129,919 |
| 32 | Pewaukee | $129,717 |
| 33 | La Crosse | $129,716 |
| 34 | Janesville | $129,623 |
| 35 | South Milwaukee | $129,338 |
| 36 | Pleasant Prairie | $129,318 |
| 37 | Menomonie | $129,185 |
| 38 | Whitewater | $129,175 |
| 39 | Wauwatosa | $129,061 |
| 40 | Germantown | $128,970 |
| 41 | Marshfield | $128,918 |
| 42 | River Falls | $128,284 |
| 43 | Mequon | $127,230 |
| 44 | Platteville | $127,220 |
| 45 | Middleton | $125,868 |
| 46 | Wisconsin Rapids | $124,824 |
More Wisconsin Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse practitioner hourly pay in Wisconsin cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse practitioners.
Explore More Nurse Practitioner Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Wisconsin in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse practitioners in Wisconsin?
How does Wisconsin nurse practitioner pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse practitioner salary in Wisconsin?
How many nurse practitioners are employed in Wisconsin?
Which Wisconsin city offers the best value for nurse practitioners?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse practitioner compensation across Wisconsin. State averages are employment-weighted across 46 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse practitionerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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