Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Whitewater, WI: $42.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Whitewater, WI runs $42.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $89,121 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Whitewater's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,478 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Whitewater, Wisconsin, the registered nurse hourly pay is set at a median of $42.85, which falls below the national median of $49.39. This discrepancy reflects not only the local economy but also the demand for healthcare services within the region. For part-time nurses working three days a week, this hourly wage translates into a reliable income, especially for those taking shifts in critical settings like emergency rooms, surgery centers, or outpatient clinics. Entry-level nurses can expect to earn around $31.25 an hour while experienced professionals in specialized roles may command up to $58.49 per hour. These figures, projected from annual salary figures, illustrate the variety of earning potentials available to registered nurses within the fluctuating healthcare landscape in Whitewater.
About the Whitewater Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($83,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.25 | $249.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.35 | $282.82 |
| Median (P50) | $42.85 | $342.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.74 | $373.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58.49 | $467.91 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Whitewater
Based on $42.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.85/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Whitewater, WI can expect to earn approximately $89,129 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,421. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Whitewater.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Whitewater
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,714.03 | $7,427 | $89,129 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,028.42 | $4,456 | $53,478 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $685.61 | $2,971 | $35,652 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Whitewater) | $42.85 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.50 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
Registered Nurses in Whitewater, WI earn a median of $89,121 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.25% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 5.10% below the Wisconsin state average of $93,910.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.85/hr = $53,478/year (purchasing power: $57,257).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $89,129/year (purchasing power: $95,428).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Whitewater (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Whitewater grew 33.1% from $30.57/hr (2019) to $40.69/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.13/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem registered nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Whitewater 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 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Registered Nurse in Whitewater
Looking at the earning potential for part-time and per-diem nurses highlights the options available in the field. A registered nurse working a 24-hour week could take home around $53,328 annually, while full-time colleagues might earn significantly more, translating into an opportunity cost for part-time work. Per diem or agency nurses are often in high demand and can set their rates anywhere between $50 and $80 per hour, creating attractive income opportunities as they navigate work across different specialties. In Whitewater, hourly rates can vary based on specific roles within healthcare environments—whether in acute care hospitals, ambulatory centers, home health, or other specialized agencies. Some nurses may choose positions with lower hourly pay but enhanced benefits, such as comprehensive health insurance, while others may prioritize cash pay without the same benefits. It's essential for registered nurses to understand their worth and engage in thoughtful negotiation based on their unique qualifications, particularly in a market that continues to evolve post-pandemic.
More salary data for Whitewater, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage 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 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for registered nurses in Whitewater. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Whitewater is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov