Registered Nurse salary in Appleton, WI
Registered Nurses in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median of $86,680 a year ($41.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,310 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,030 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 9% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $95,530. There are 19 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $90,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Appleton, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,340 | $35.74 |
| 25th percentile | $79,760 | $38.35 |
| Median | $86,680 | $41.67 |
| 75th percentile | $101,340 | $48.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,030 | $52.42 |
| Average (mean) | $90,490 | $43.50 |
Half of registered 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 | $7,223.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,611.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,333.85 |
| Weekly | $1,666.92 |
| Hourly | $41.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $103,040 | 43,600 |
| Madison, WI | $101,190 | 10,650 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $98,370 | 2,920 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $97,360 | 22,400 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $96,940 | 4,410 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $93,890 | 960 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $93,410 | 2,420 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $93,030 | 1,680 |
| Wausau, WI | $89,190 | 1,830 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $89,090 | 1,510 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $87,340 | 2,050 |
| Green Bay, WI | $84,700 | 4,680 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $84,240 | 1,130 |
| Kenosha, WI | $83,110 | 1,730 |
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
| Nevada | $103,670 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 |
See Registered Nurse pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Appleton, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist | $96,350 | $46.32 |
| Pharmacist | $144,630 | $69.53 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,920 | $49.00 |
| Physicians, All Other | $406,080 | $195.23 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,030 | $62.04 |
| Occupational Therapist | $90,310 | $43.42 |
| Dentists, General | $206,650 | $99.35 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,270 | $61.67 |
| Veterinarian | $105,800 | $50.87 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $82,060 | $39.45 |
| Chiropractor | $101,410 | $48.76 |
| Optometrist | $150,060 | $72.15 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $84,300 | $40.53 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $72,590 | $34.90 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Appleton, WI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1141. 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 registered nurse make in Appleton, WI?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Appleton, WI metro area is $86,680 a year, or $41.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Appleton, WI?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Appleton, WI metro area earn at least $109,030 a year. The top 25% earn $101,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Appleton, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,340 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $79,760 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Appleton, WI?
About 2,310 registered nurses are employed in the Appleton, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.