Registered Nurse Salary

Beloit vs Milwaukee: Registered Nurse Salary (2026)

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

Beloit, WI
$98,193
$47.21/hr
Milwaukee, WI
$102,530
$49.30/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBeloit, WIMilwaukee, WI
Median Salary$98,193$102,530
Hourly Rate$47.21$49.30
Entry Level (P10)$68,126$82,911
25th Percentile$84,890$86,954
75th Percentile$110,012$110,575
Top Earner (P90)$130,911$125,835
Total Employed522,400
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Beloit ($98,193) and Milwaukee ($102,530) registered nurse salaries.BeloitMilwaukeeMedian Salary$98,193$102,530Entry Level (P10)$68,126$82,911Top Earner (P90)$130,911$125,835US Median $102,730

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for registered nurses, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Beloit.

The salary gap between Beloit and Milwaukee is $4,337 (4.42%). Milwaukee's median is -0.19% compared to the US national median of $102,730.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Beloit spans $62,785,Milwaukee spans $42,924. Beloit has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Beloit
P10 (Entry)$68,126
P25$84,890
Median$98,193
P75$110,012
P90 (Top)$130,911
Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$82,911
P25$86,954
Median$102,530
P75$110,575
P90 (Top)$125,835

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($105,770 effective) pays 0.61% more than Beloit ($105,132 effective).

Beloit
Nominal: $98,193
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $105,132
Milwaukee
Nominal: $102,530
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $105,770

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Beloit if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($130,911)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,530/year)
  • Larger job market (22,400 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,770)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, registered nurse salaries in Beloit grew 23.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.2% growth in Milwaukee over the same period.

Beloit, WI

+23.7%

$75,368 (2024) → $93,242 (2025)

Milwaukee, WI

+33.2%

$73,080 (2019) → $97,360 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays registered nurses more: Beloit or Milwaukee?

Milwaukee has a higher median registered nurse salary at $102,530/year, compared to Beloit at $98,193/year — a difference of $4,337 (4.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Beloit and Milwaukee?

Beloit registered nurses earn $47.21/hr while Milwaukee hygienists earn $49.30/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Beloit to Milwaukee as a registered nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Beloit and Milwaukee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Beloit = $105,132, Milwaukee = $105,770), job availability (5 vs 22,400 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level registered nurses earn in Beloit vs Milwaukee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) registered nurses earn $68,126 in Beloit and $82,911 in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.

Clinically reviewed by Amina Patel, RN, MSNData verified by Carlos Gomez, RN, DNP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.31% 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 Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov