Registered Nurse Salary in Milwaukee, WI: $102,530 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Milwaukee, WI earns a median $102,530/year (≈ $49.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Milwaukee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $105,770 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.2% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, registered nurses in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, can anticipate a median annual salary of $102,530, which closely aligns with the national average of $102,730. The salary range for RNs in Milwaukee extends from $82,911 at the 10th percentile to $125,835 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the competitive compensation landscape within this occupation. Data collected from BLS OEWS surveys indicates that factors such as shift differentials for night and weekend shifts significantly contribute to overall pay. With Milwaukee experiencing steady demand for registered nurses, effective salaries not only attract new talent but also retain experienced professionals likely to pursue specialization and further certification in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,911 | $39.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,954 | $41.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,530 | $49.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,575 | $53.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,835 | $60.50 |
Median Salary Position
0.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milwaukee
In Milwaukee, WI, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,924 (2026 est.). At $102,530, the local median is 0.19% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Milwaukee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Milwaukee Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Milwaukee median: $102,530/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Milwaukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $93,892 | +9.20% more |
| National Average | $102,730 | -0.19% less |
Registered Nurses in Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $102,530 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.19% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 9.20% above the Wisconsin state average of $93,892.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Milwaukee has a cost of living 3.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Milwaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 96.937 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $102,530 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,770 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,080
2025 BLS Actual
$97,360
2026 Current Est.
$102,530
2019–2027 Growth
+47.7%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,980 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,360 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,530 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,974 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Milwaukee metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.2% from $73,080 (2019) to $97,360 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,974 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,894 (47.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milwaukee 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $82,911 – $86,954 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,954 – $102,530 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,530 – $110,575 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,575 – $125,835 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Milwaukee
With approximately 22,400 registered nurses employed in the area, Milwaukee's job market reflects strong demand for these vital healthcare professionals amidst a moderate cost of living index of 96.937, which allows for better take-home purchasing power. The highest compensation is typically associated with large hospital systems, particularly those with acute care, ICU, and ED units, while specialty centers and travel nursing agencies also provide lucrative opportunities. The disparity between lower and higher earnings often stems from additional factors, including shift differentials—ranging from $3 to $7 for nights and $3 to $5 for weekends—as well as stipends for specialty certifications, and roles in magnet-status facilities that emphasize well-rounded qualifications. Maximizing one’s registered nurse pay in Milwaukee WI revolves around strategic career choices, such as pursuing travel nursing roles or garnishing certifications like those offered by AACN or AORN, which can significantly enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Milwaukee, 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
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 $97,360 for registered nursesin the Milwaukee metropolitan area. A 5.31% 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 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