Registered Nurse salary in Wausau, WI
Registered Nurses in the Wausau, WI metro area earn a median of $89,190 a year ($42.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,830 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,210 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 7% lower 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 $89,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Wausau, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,380 | $37.20 |
| 25th percentile | $79,840 | $38.39 |
| Median | $89,190 | $42.88 |
| 75th percentile | $95,900 | $46.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Average (mean) | $89,340 | $42.95 |
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 | $7,432.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,716.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,430.38 |
| Weekly | $1,715.19 |
| Hourly | $42.88 |
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 |
| 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 Wausau, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,720 | $62.36 |
| Physicians, All Other | $364,260 | $175.12 |
| Dental Hygienist | $87,470 | $42.05 |
| Pharmacist | $148,740 | $71.51 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,910 | $48.03 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,980 | $62.49 |
| Dentists, General | $202,250 | $97.24 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $269,790 | $129.71 |
| Occupational Therapist | $90,030 | $43.28 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,030 | $37.52 |
| Veterinarian | $101,540 | $48.82 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,740 | $35.45 |
| Optometrist | $142,690 | $68.60 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $41,710 | $20.06 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Wausau, 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 Wausau, WI?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Wausau, WI metro area is $89,190 a year, or $42.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Wausau, WI?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Wausau, WI metro area earn at least $115,210 a year. The top 25% earn $95,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Wausau, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,380 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $79,840 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Wausau, WI?
About 1,830 registered nurses are employed in the Wausau, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.