Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in Wisconsin
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in Wisconsin earn a median of $63,760 a year ($30.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,390 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,490 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $64,400. Wisconsin ranks 26th of 51 states for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses pay. There are 2.5 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $65,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,820 | $24.91 |
| 25th percentile | $59,620 | $28.67 |
| Median | $63,760 | $30.65 |
| 75th percentile | $75,010 | $36.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,490 | $37.73 |
| Average (mean) | $65,870 | $31.67 |
Half of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,313.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,656.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,452.31 |
| Weekly | $1,226.15 |
| Hourly | $30.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in cities in Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $65,660 | 6,300 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $65,410 | 1,890 |
| Kenosha, WI | $65,350 | 250 |
| Appleton, WI | $65,300 | 370 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $65,270 | 160 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $64,850 | 180 |
| Madison, WI | $64,550 | 650 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $64,000 | 190 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $63,950 | 260 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $62,820 | 160 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $60,960 | 270 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $60,950 | 250 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $60,930 | 630 |
| Green Bay, WI | $60,790 | 600 |
| Wausau, WI | $60,360 | 150 |
Highest-paying states for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $83,150 |
| Alaska | $80,800 |
| Oregon | $80,470 |
| Massachusetts | $80,220 |
| Rhode Island | $80,090 |
| California | $79,750 |
| New Hampshire | $77,110 |
| Arizona | $77,070 |
| Nevada | $76,160 |
| District of Columbia | $75,740 |
See Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay in every state.
Related jobs in Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $60,670 | $29.17 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $79,140 | $38.05 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $40,290 | $19.37 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $43,060 | $20.70 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $51,350 | $24.69 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $60,280 | $28.98 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,020 | $22.61 |
| Surgical Technologist | $74,120 | $35.64 |
| Paramedic | $59,710 | $28.71 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $102,090 | $49.08 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $44,820 | $21.55 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $56,420 | $27.13 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $74,380 | $35.76 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2061. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make in Wisconsin?
The median salary for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Wisconsin is $63,760 a year, or $30.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Wisconsin earn at least $78,490 a year. The top 25% earn $75,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,820 a year, and a quarter of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn $59,620 or less.
How many licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses work in Wisconsin?
About 7,390 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.