Nursing Assistant salary in Wisconsin
Nursing Assistants in Wisconsin earn a median of $45,130 a year ($21.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 28,370 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,650 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $42,260. Wisconsin ranks 19th of 51 states for nursing assistants pay. There are 9.6 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $44,600, close to the median.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,900 | $18.22 |
| 25th percentile | $39,580 | $19.03 |
| Median | $45,130 | $21.70 |
| 75th percentile | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,650 | $24.35 |
| Average (mean) | $44,600 | $21.44 |
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 | $3,760.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,880.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,735.77 |
| Weekly | $867.88 |
| Hourly | $21.70 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nursing Assistant salary in cities in Wisconsin
| 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 |
| Madison, WI | $45,260 | 3,420 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| Orderly | $41,380 | $19.89 |
| Medical Assistant | $48,680 | $23.41 |
| Dental Assistant | $47,520 | $22.85 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,470 | $22.34 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,850 | $17.71 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $44,850 | $21.56 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $64,080 | $30.81 |
| Massage Therapist | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $47,570 | $22.87 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $59,960 | $28.83 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $36,820 | $17.70 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $49,150 | $23.63 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $36,660 | $17.63 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for nursing assistants in Wisconsin is $45,130 a year, or $21.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in Wisconsin earn at least $50,650 a year. The top 25% earn $47,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,900 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $39,580 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Wisconsin?
About 28,370 nursing assistants are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.