Registered Nurse Salary in Onalaska, WI: $104,981 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Onalaska, WI earns a median $104,981/year (≈ $50.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Onalaska's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $112,399 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.8% above the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Onalaska, the 2026 median annual salary for registered nurses reaches an impressive $104,981, slightly surpassing the national median of $102,730. The local salary range spans from $76,805 at the 10th percentile to $134,479 at the 90th percentile, showcasing significant earning potential for nurses at various career stages. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, incorporating regional cost of living adjustments that reflect the unique economic landscape in Onalaska. Nurses who work night shifts or weekends can benefit from additional shift differentials, further enhancing their overall compensation. As healthcare continues to adapt, demand for well-compensated nursing roles remains robust in the area.
About the Onalaska Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($83,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,805 | $36.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,271 | $43.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,981 | $50.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114,836 | $55.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,479 | $64.65 |
Median Salary Position
2.19% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Onalaska
In Onalaska, WI, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,674 (2026 est.). At $104,981, the local median is 2.19% above the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Onalaska: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Onalaska Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Onalaska median: $104,981/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Onalaska Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $93,901 | +11.80% more |
| National Average | $102,730 | +2.19% more |
Registered Nurses in Onalaska, WI earn a median of $104,981 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.19% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 11.80% above the Wisconsin state average of $93,901.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Onalaska has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Onalaska, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $104,981 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $112,399 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,907
2025 BLS Actual
$99,688
2026 Current Est.
$104,981
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Onalaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,907 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,981 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,301 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,956 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,847 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,688 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,981 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,556 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Onalaska metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $74,907 (2019) to $99,688 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,556 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,649 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Onalaska 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) | $76,805 – $91,271 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,271 – $104,981 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,981 – $114,836 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $114,836 – $134,479 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Onalaska
Evaluating the local job market reveals that only four registered nurses are currently employed in Onalaska, indicating a potentially tight-knit community where demand could translate into greater job security. With a cost-of-living index of 93.4, the purchasing power for nurses in this region is favorable, allowing for a lifestyle that could be more comfortable compared to higher-priced locations. Major employers such as hospital systems with ICU and ED units tend to offer the most competitive pay, alongside specialized surgical centers and travel nursing agencies. Factors such as shift differentials of $3-7 per hour for night shifts, and $3-5 for weekend shifts contribute significantly to the overall compensation spectrum. To maximize earnings, registered nurses should consider additional certifications and seek employment in high-demand specialties or roles that offer charge nurse pay.
More salary data for Onalaska, 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 $99,688 for registered nursesin the Onalaska 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
Salary data for Onalaska 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