Registered Nurse salary in Madison, WI
Registered Nurses in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $101,190 a year ($48.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,650 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,240 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 6% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $95,530. There are 26 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $100,430, close to the median.
Pay range for registered nurses in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,760 | $39.31 |
| 25th percentile | $87,270 | $41.96 |
| Median | $101,190 | $48.65 |
| 75th percentile | $103,150 | $49.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,240 | $59.25 |
| Average (mean) | $100,430 | $48.29 |
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 | $8,432.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,216.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,891.92 |
| Weekly | $1,945.96 |
| Hourly | $48.65 |
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 |
| 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 |
| Appleton, WI | $86,680 | 2,310 |
| 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 Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $158,120 | $76.02 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,810 | $49.43 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,940 | $145.16 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,340 | $48.24 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,670 | $46.00 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $133,080 | $63.98 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,950 | $64.40 |
| Veterinarian | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,890 | $41.78 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,530 | $39.20 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $75,250 | $36.18 |
| Dentists, General | $176,460 | $84.84 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $329,670 | $158.50 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $340,150 | $163.53 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Madison, 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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Madison, WI metro area is $101,190 a year, or $48.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $123,240 a year. The top 25% earn $103,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,760 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $87,270 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Madison, WI?
About 10,650 registered nurses are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.