Nursing Assistant salary in Madison, WI
Nursing Assistants in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $45,260 a year ($21.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,420 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,990 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $42,260. Pay here is about the same as the Wisconsin statewide median of $45,130. There are 8.4 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,470 | $18.98 |
| 25th percentile | $40,230 | $19.34 |
| Median | $45,260 | $21.76 |
| 75th percentile | $47,390 | $22.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,990 | $26.92 |
| Average (mean) | $46,240 | $22.23 |
Half of nursing assistants 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 | $3,771.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,885.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,740.77 |
| Weekly | $870.38 |
| Hourly | $21.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nursing Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $48,020 | 14,590 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $47,050 | 520 |
| Kenosha, WI | $46,220 | 710 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $45,710 | 620 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $45,690 | 7,880 |
| Appleton, WI | $44,760 | 980 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $44,590 | 900 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $44,490 | 520 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $44,250 | 1,610 |
| Wausau, WI | $43,660 | 710 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $43,510 | 1,250 |
| Green Bay, WI | $43,450 | 1,700 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $43,150 | 1,100 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $39,730 | 710 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
See Nursing Assistant pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $37,220 | $17.89 |
| Medical Assistant | $48,750 | $23.44 |
| Dental Assistant | $49,930 | $24.01 |
| Phlebotomist | $47,740 | $22.95 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $38,490 | $18.51 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $50,120 | $24.10 |
| Massage Therapist | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $49,600 | $23.84 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $54,870 | $26.38 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $63,380 | $30.47 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $39,420 | $18.95 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $42,350 | $20.36 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1131. 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 nursing assistant make in Madison, WI?
The median salary for nursing assistants in the Madison, WI metro area is $45,260 a year, or $21.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $55,990 a year. The top 25% earn $47,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,470 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $40,230 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Madison, WI?
About 3,420 nursing assistants are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.