Nurse Practitioner Salary in Appleton, WI: $133,482 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Appleton, WI earns a median $133,482/year (≈ $64.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Appleton's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.4), that paycheck buys what $144,431 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Appleton, Wisconsin, the financial landscape for nurse practitioners is shaped by the state's legislation regarding practice authority. With a median annual salary projected at $133,482 for 2026, nurse practitioners in the region experience a salary range stretching from $107,288 at the 10th percentile to $172,141 at the 90th percentile. These figures derive from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) compensation data, illustrating both a competitive local pay scale and the implications of Wisconsin's full-practice authority status. Such a distinction is especially significant as it allows advanced practice nurses to operate independently, influencing both their earning potential and job market dynamics in Appleton.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $107,288 | $51.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $117,767 | $56.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,482 | $64.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,203 | $77.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $172,141 | $82.76 |
Median Salary Position
2.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Appleton
In Appleton, WI, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,853 (2026 est.). At $133,482, the local median is 2.47% below the national median of $136,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Appleton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Appleton Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Appleton median: $133,482/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Appleton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $136,206 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $136,864 | -2.47% less |
Nurse Practitioners in Appleton, WI earn a median of $133,482 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.47% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 2.00% below the Wisconsin state average of $136,206.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Appleton has a cost of living 7.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Appleton, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.419 (below the national average of 100). A nurse practitioner earning $133,482 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,431 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.2% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,850
2025 BLS Actual
$129,030
2026 Current Est.
$133,482
2019–2027 Growth
+35.6%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Appleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,060 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,482 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,087 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Appleton metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 26.7% from $101,850 (2019) to $129,030 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,087 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,237 (35.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Appleton 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $107,288 – $117,767 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $117,767 – $133,482 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,482 – $160,203 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,203 – $172,141 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Appleton
The local job market for nurse practitioners remains robust, with approximately 150 professionals currently employed in Appleton. The cost of living index stands at 92.419, suggesting a lower cost relative to the national average, thus enhancing the purchasing power of nurse practitioners in this area. Among key employers, hospital outpatient clinics and specialty practices tend to provide the highest compensation, while retail clinics and urgent care chains offer competitive rates that appeal to the flexibility desired by many NPs. Factors contributing to salary disparities include varying specialty focuses—such as psychiatric mental health versus family practice—as well as opportunities for additional income through telehealth or productivity bonuses. Maximizing salary in Appleton may involve pursuing advanced certifications, strategically selecting employers, and engaging in practice models that align with current healthcare demands.
More salary data for Appleton, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $129,030 for nurse practitionersin the Appleton metropolitan area. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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