Registered Nurse Salary Guide: Wisconsin
Average Registered Nurse Salary
$59.63/hour
The average salary for a Registered Nurse in Wisconsin is $59.63 per hour. This is 15% higher than the US average of $50.79.
Last updated on October 7, 2026. Based on active jobs on Vivian.com.
Registered Nurse salaries in Wisconsin compared to National Averages
$59.63/hour
Wisconsin
15% higher than the US average.
$50.79/hour
United States
What cities in Wisconsin pay the most for Registered Nurses?
Madison, Wisconsin pays Registered Nurses the most, averaging $61 per hour, followed by Hudson, Wisconsin ($41). Madison, Wisconsin also has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $65. For comparison, the Wisconsin average for Registered Nurses is $60 per hour — Madison, Wisconsin pays 2% more.
| City | Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Madison, Wisconsin | $61 | $65 |
| Hudson, Wisconsin | $41 | $53 |
What type of Registered Nurses make the most money in Wisconsin?
OR - Operating Room earns the most among Nursing specialties in Wisconsin, averaging $65 per hour, followed by Skilled Nursing ($64) and Pediatric Med Surg ($62). OR - Operating Room also has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $82. For comparison, the Wisconsin average for Registered Nurses is $60 per hour — OR - Operating Room earns 10% more.
| Specialty | Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| OR - Operating Room | $65 | $82 |
| Skilled Nursing | $64 | $69 |
| Pediatric Med Surg | $62 | $65 |
| ED - Emergency Department | $62 | $65 |
| Pediatrics | $61 | $65 |
| Long Term Care | $61 | $69 |
| Rehabilitation | $61 | $69 |
| NICU - Neonatal Intensive Care | $60 | $60 |
| Intermediate Care | $60 | $65 |
How does the pay for Registered Nurses in Wisconsin compare to nearby states?
Minnesota pays Registered Nurses the most, averaging $59 per hour, followed by Illinois ($49) and Missouri ($49). Minnesota also has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $65. For comparison, the Wisconsin average for Registered Nurses is $60 per hour — Minnesota pays 1% less.
| Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $59 | $65 |
| Illinois | $49 | $54 |
| Missouri | $49 | $62 |
| Ohio | $47 | $51 |
| Iowa | $46 | $50 |
| Kentucky | $44 | $46 |
| Michigan | $40 | $48 |
| South Dakota | $29 | $38 |
What are the highest paying Employers and Agencies for Registered Nurse jobs in Wisconsin?
Perm Staff Jobs pays Registered Nurses the most, averaging $55 per hour, followed by UW Health ($50) and TK Health ($45). Perm Staff Jobs also has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $63. For comparison, the Wisconsin average for Registered Nurses is $60 per hour — Perm Staff Jobs pays 8% less.
| Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Perm Staff Jobs | $55 | $63 |
| UW Health | $50 | $59 |
| TK Health | $45 | $45 |
| CoreMedical Group Perm | $43 | $45 |
| Medical Solutions Direct Hire | $43 | $46 |
Last updated on October 7, 2026. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com and pay data from BLS and around the web.
Top Registered Nurse Jobs
Registered Nurse (RN) - Manager, OR - Operating Room
- UW Health
- Madison, WI
$114K-171K/year
Registered Nurse (RN) - Long Term Care
- Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute
- Brodhead, WI
$56-69/hour
Registered Nurse (RN) - Long Term Care
- Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute
- Sharon, WI
$56-69/hour
Registered Nurse (RN) - Long Term Care
- Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute
- Darien, WI
$56-69/hour
Registered Nurse (RN) - Rehabilitation
- Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute
- Brodhead, WI
$56-69/hour
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