PRN Nursing Jobs in Wisconsin: Ultimate Guide [2024]

Are you looking for high-paying RN, LPN, or CNA jobs in Wisconsin? Apply for per diem nursing jobs from the palm of your hand.

Are you a nurse living in Wisconsin or on your way to becoming one? Read on for the complete guide to working in Wisconsin as a nurse: average salaries, cost of living, best nursing programs, and more!

Table of Contents

How to Become a Nurse in Wisconsin

Becoming a nurse in Wisconsin is very much like becoming a nurse anywhere else in the country. Aspiring nurses first need to decide whether they would like to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or registered nurses (RNs).

To become an LPN, you must complete a practical nursing program, which takes about one year, and then pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

To become an RN, you can either complete a two-year associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a four-year bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN). After graduating from either of these programs, you qualify to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN)

Upon passing your respective NCLEX (PN or RN), the Wisconsin State Board of Nursing will grant your nursing license, allowing you to work as a nurse in Wisconsin. Plus, Wisconsin is a Nurse Licensure Compact (Compact) state, which means that obtaining a license from the state of Wisconsin allows you to work as a nurse in many other states without requiring another license. 

Wondering why you should go for a four-year degree when you can become a nurse in as little as a year? Well, it’s simple: The higher the level of education you have, the greater your responsibilities, autonomy, and salary will be.

Learn more about the factors influencing nurse salary here: Nurse Salary Guide: Understand How Much You Can Make as a Nurse.

Become a CNA in Wisconsin

Another way to enter the nursing field that is usually even faster than an LPN program is training as a certified nursing assistant (CNA). CNA training programs can be as short as four weeks, and some are even free

In nursing, initially choosing a shorter training program does not limit your career long term. On the contrary, any license you choose provides the opportunity to acquire valuable experience in the field. Plus, you can always continue your studies to pursue a higher-level license. For example, you can complete a CNA-to-RN bridge program in just twelve months. Additionally, RNs with bachelor’s degrees and previous CNA work experience earn between $3,400 and $7,700 more per year than their counterparts without this experience.

Best BSN Nursing Programs in Wisconsin

Wondering how to choose the best BSN nursing programs in Wisconsin? Of course, factors such as location and cost are important in determining the best program for you, but you should also make sure to choose a quality nursing program that will prepare you to pass the NCLEX on your first try—remember that this test is the last hurdle you must pass before obtaining your nursing license. On this note, here are the BSN programs in Wisconsin with the highest first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates in 2021 (the most recent data available as of June 29, 2023). For reference, the national average that year was 86.06% for BSN programs.

School First-Time NCLEX Pass Rate
Herzing University - Madison 100.00%
Maranatha Baptist University 100.00%
Wisconsin Lutheran College 100.00%
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire 99.10%
Milwaukee School of Engineering 97.50%
Edgewood College 96.85%
Marian College Fond Du Lac 96.77%
Carroll University 96.30%
Marquette University 96.00%
Bellin College 95.87%
Rasmussen College - Wausau 94.74%
Rasmussen College - Green Bay 94.44%
University of Wisconsin - Madison 94.31%
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh 94.05%
Viterbo College 93.29%
Concordia University Wisconsin 92.86%
George Williams College of Aurora University 92.86%
Herzing University - Brookfield 89.23%
Cardinal Stritch University 88.46%
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee 88.28%
Alverno College 87.01%
Bryant & Stratton College 86.96%

Source: Wisconsin 2021 Annual NCLEX Pass Rate Report (Most recent data as of June 29, 2023)

Best ADN Nursing Programs in Wisconsin

Are you aiming for an associate’s degree in nursing? Choose from this list of excellent nursing programs in Wisconsin based on their 2021 first-time NCLEX pass rates. For reference, the national average for ADN programs that year was 78.78%.

School First-Time NCLEX Pass Rate
Cardinal Stritch University - Ruth S. Coleman College of Nursing 100.00%
Fox Valley Technical College 100.00%
Mid State Technical College 98.15%
Western Technical College 98.15%
Milwaukee Area Technical College 96.83%
Waukesha County Technical College 96.39%
Madison Area Technical College 96.26%
Gateway Technical College 95.90%
Nicolet Area Technical College 95.45%
Chippewa Valley Technical College 94.92%
Moraine Park Technical College 94.25%
North Central Technical College 94.23%
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College 93.46%
Rasmussen College - Green Bay 93.02%
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College 92.86%
Blackhawk Technical College 91.23%
Lakeshore Technical College 90.91%
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College - (Northwood) 88.00%

Source: Wisconsin 2021 Annual NCLEX Pass Rate Report (Most recent data as of June 29, 2023)

Best LPN Nursing Programs in Wisconsin

Want to become a nurse fast? Here are the top practical nursing programs in Wisconsin based on their 2021 first-time NCLEX-PN pass rates. For reference, the national average that year for practical nursing programs was 79.60%.

School First-Time NCLEX Pass Rate
Fox Valley Technical College 100.00%
Herzing College 100.00%
Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Community College 100.00%
Lakeshore Technical College 100.00%
Madison Area Technical College 100.00%
Western Technical College 100.00%
Chippewa Valley Technical College 97.85%
Mid State Technical College 97.44%
Herzing University - Brookfield 96.88%
Blackhawk Technical College 96.77%
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College 95.56%
Lakeshore Technical College 95.45%
North Central Technical College 95.24%
Moraine Park Technical College 94.74%
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (Northwood) 94.23%
Gateway Technical College 93.75%
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College 91.40%
Waukesha County Technical College 90.91%
Matc-Madison PN Stand Alone 90.91%

Source: Wisconsin 2021 Annual NCLEX Pass Rate Report (Most recent data as of June 29, 2023)

What Is the Average RN Salary in Wisconsin?

Wondering how much you can make as an RN in Wisconsin? Here are the average hourly, weekly, monthly, and annual RN salaries in Wisconsin

  • Average hourly rate: $38.94
  • Average weekly rate: $1,557.60
  • Average monthly rate: $6,750
  • Average annual rate: $81,000

Now, it is useful to know the average RN salary in Wisconsin; however, new grad RNs and experienced RNs alike may be wondering whether this average applies to them—and they have reason to be skeptical. RN salary can vary significantly due to a variety of factors: level of education, years of work experience, nursing certifications, and more. With this in mind, here is the whole spectrum of RN salaries in Wisconsin from the lowest to the highest salary range

  • 10th percentile: $65,110
  • 25th percentile: $68,820
  • 50th percentile: $79,750
  • 75th percentile: $87,920
  • 90th percentile: $100,820

Want to know how you can earn that six-figure salary? Read our Ultimate Guide to Registered Nurse (RN) Pay [Updated 2023] to understand all the factors influencing RN income. 

Best Cities for Working in Wisconsin as an RN

The “best city” to live and work in Wisconsin is certainly subjective; it depends on each nurse’s characteristics and preferences. That said, salary is one of the most important considerations when choosing the best place to work as an RN. With this in mind, here are the average RN salaries in each area of Wisconsin from the highest- to the lowest-paying locations:

  • La Crosse-Onalaska: $87,780
  • Madison: $86,240
  • Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis: $82,040
  • Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area: $81,190
  • Janesville-Beloit: $80,130
  • Eau Claire: $79,420
  • Racine: $79,200
  • Sheboygan: $78,310
  • Green Bay: $77,800
  • South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area: $77,190
  • Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area: $76,530
  • Fond du Lac: $76,140
  • Oshkosh-Neenah: $76,090
  • Appleton: $75,920
  • Wausau: $75,510
  • Northwestern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area: $74,790

Looking for RN jobs in hospitals, medical centers, or clinics in Wisconsin? Browse available per diem RN jobs here

What Is the Average LPN Salary in Wisconsin?

Are you a newly graduated LPN in Wisconsin, or are you planning a move to this state? Here is the average LPN salary in Wisconsin per hour, week, month, and year:

  • Average hourly rate: $25.29
  • Average weekly rate: $1,011.60
  • Average monthly rate: $4,384.17
  • Average annual rate: $52,610

As a new grad LPN, you can aspire to earn this average salary, but it may take a few years to get there. Depending on where you live, whether or not you have nursing certifications, how many years you have worked as a nurse, etc., here is a more comprehensive look at potential LPN salaries in Wisconsin:

  • 10th percentile: $41,610
  • 25th percentile: $47,400
  • 50th percentile: $50,760
  • 75th percentile: $58,480
  • 90th percentile: $61,990

Want to learn more about the factors influencing LPN salary? Read our Ultimate Guide to LPN Pay [Updated 2023].

Best Cities for Working in Wisconsin as an LPN

When deciding on the best place to live, you may want to look into the cities with the best schools for your kids or the cities with the best “happy resident” ratings. But—let’s be honest—when it comes to the best place to work, few things can be more important than the potential salary a location offers. On that note, here are average LPN salaries in Wisconsin from the highest to the lowest:

  • Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis: $54,900
  • Racine: $54,180
  • La Crosse-Onalaska: $53,900
  • Madison: $53,720
  • Janesville-Beloit: $53,320
  • South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area: $52,880
  • Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area: $52,800
  • Appleton: $52,630
  • Fond du Lac: $51,390
  • Eau Claire: $50,820
  • Wausau: $50,750
  • Northwestern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area: $50,140
  • Sheboygan: $49,900
  • Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area: $49,650
  • Oshkosh-Neenah: $49,580
  • Green Bay: $49,070

Looking for the best practical nursing jobs in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, or anywhere else in Wisconsin? Browse available per diem nursing jobs here.

What Is the Average CNA Salary in Wisconsin?

Are you a CNA or on your way to becoming one? Here is the average CNA salary in Wisconsin per hour, week, month, and year:

  • Average hourly rate: $17.67
  • Average weekly rate: $706.80
  • Average monthly rate: $3,062.50
  • Average annual rate: $36,750

As is the case with RN and LPN salaries, CNA salaries in Wisconsin can vary significantly based on a number of factors. Here is the whole spectrum of CNA salaries in Wisconsin from the highest to the lowest: 

  • 10th percentile: $30,630
  • 25th percentile: $33,420
  • 50th percentile: $36,780
  • 75th percentile: $38,660
  • 90th percentile: $42,370

Want to know how you can make more money as a CNA? Read our Ultimate Guide to CNA Pay [Updated 2023] to understand all the factors that can determine your salary as a CNA.

Best Cities for Working in Wisconsin as a CNA

Did you know that simply moving from one Wisconsin city to another could increase your CNA salary by nearly $4,000? Take a look at the average CNA salaries in Wisconsin by location:

  • Madison: $38,910
  • Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis: $37,290
  • Sheboygan: $36,540
  • Racine: $36,450
  • La Crosse-Onalaska: $36,370
  • Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area: $36,250
  • Green Bay: $36,200
  • Fond du Lac: $36,130
  • Northwestern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area: $35,900
  • Oshkosh-Neenah: $35,840
  • Appleton: $35,780
  • Eau Claire: $35,680
  • South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area: $35,550
  • Janesville-Beloit: $35,330
  • Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area: $35,180
  • Wausau: $35,070

Ready to make some good money as a CNA? Check out the best per diem CNA jobs here

Cost of Living in Wisconsin

As appealing as a high salary is, it must always be assessed side by side with the cost of living in a given location. Although Wisconsin didn’t make our list of the highest-paying states for RNs, it is actually the eleventh best-paying state for RNs after factoring in the cost of living. Not bad, right?

Specifically, the living wage for a single adult in Wisconsin is $16.06 per hour, meaning that a single adult must make at least this much per hour at a full-time job to cover basic living expenses in this state.

What about parents? Clearly, the more children or other dependents a person has, the higher the living wage. 

Here is the living wage per hour for single parents living in Wisconsin:

  • One child: $35.00
  • Two children: $46.29
  • Three children: $61.44

Here is the hourly living wage for working parents when a stay-at-home parent covers childcare: 

  • One child: $32.20
  • Two children: $37.22
  • Three children: $41.35

Finally, here is the hourly living wage each parent must make when both work outside the home:

  • One child: $19.33
  • Two children: $25.20
  • Three children: $30.61

Typical Living Expenses in Wisconsin

Wondering where all the money goes? Take a look at the breakdown of typical living expenses in Wisconsin below.

The following are typical living expenses in Wisconsin households composed of a single adult—with and without children:

One Adult
No Children One Child Two Children Three Children
Food $4,010 $5,919 $8,894 $11,789
Childcare $0 $11,068 $22,136 $33,204
Medical $3,355 $8,231 $8,241 $8,166
Housing $8,185 $11,678 $11,678 $15,334
Transportation $5,356 $9,634 $11,780 $14,164
Civic $2,959 $5,878 $6,565 $8,951
Other $4,811 $8,394 $9,905 $10,871
Required annual income after taxes $28,809 $60,933 $79,329 $102,610
Annual taxes $4,600 $11,874 $16,945 $25,192
Required annual income before taxes $33,409 $72,807 $96,275 $127,802

Source: Glasmeier, Amy K. Living Wage Calculator. 2023. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. https://livingwage.mit.edu/states/55 (Most recent data as of June 29, 2023)

Here are typical living expenses in Wisconsin households with one working adult and one stay-at-home adult—with and without children:

Two Adults (One Working)
No Children One Child Two Children Three Children
Food $7,352 $9,159 $11,812 $14,374
Childcare $0 $0 $0 $0
Medical $7,024 $8,241 $8,166 $8,319
Housing $9,351 $11,678 $11,678 $15,334
Transportation $9,634 $11,780 $14,164 $15,187
Civic $5,878 $6,565 $8,951 $7,118
Other $8,394 $9,905 $10,871 $12,160
Required annual income after taxes $47,765 $57,459 $65,775 $72,623
Annual taxes $7,060 $9,518 $11,642 $13,384
Required annual income before taxes $54,825 $66,977 $77,417 $86,007

Source: Glasmeier, Amy K. Living Wage Calculator. 2023. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. https://livingwage.mit.edu/states/55 (Most recent data as of June 29, 2023)

Finally, here are typical living expenses in Wisconsin households with two working adults—with and without children:

Two Adults (Both Working)
No Children One Child Two Children Three Children
Food $7,352 $9,159 $11,812 $14,374
Childcare $0 $11,068 $22,136 $33,204
Medical $7,024 $8,241 $8,166 $8,319
Housing $9,351 $11,678 $11,678 $15,334
Transportation $9,634 $11,780 $14,164 $15,187
Civic $5,878 $6,565 $8,951 $7,118
Other $8,394 $9,905 $10,871 $12,160
Required annual income after taxes $47,765 $68,527 $87,911 $105,827
Annual taxes $6,565 $11,901 $16,902 $21,522
Required annual income before taxes $54,330 $80,428 $104,812 $127,348


Source: Glasmeier, Amy K. Living Wage Calculator. 2023. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. https://livingwage.mit.edu/states/55 (Most recent data as of June 29, 2023)

Cheapest Cities in Wisconsin

Living in a cheap city may seem more appealing than earning a high salary right about now. If that’s the case, you can find the Wisconsin locations with the lowest cost of living below.

City Living Hourly Wage Living Annual Wage
Wausau $14.47 $30,097.60
Sheboygan $15.15 $31,512.00
Eau Claire $15.19 $31,595.20
Fond du Lac $15.52 $32,281.60
La Crosse-Onalaska $15.60 $32,448.00
Racine $15.61 $32,468.80
Green Bay $15.66 $32,572.80
Oshkosh-Neenah $15.75 $32,760.00
Appleton $15.78 $32,822.40
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis $16.10 $33,488.00
Janesville-Beloit $16.13 $33,550.40
Madison $17.49 $36,379.20

Source: Table created with data from the MIT living wage calculator. (Most recent data as of June 29, 2023)

Living Wage and Nursing Salaries in Wisconsin

Now, the truth is that neither salary nor cost of living should be considered alone. In some US locations, a high salary is still not enough to cover basic living expenses, whereas, in others, a relatively low salary may still be enough to get by on. Therefore, the ideal scenario is to find a location that offers nursing salaries well above the cost of living in that area. On that note, this table shows the average CNA, LPN, and RN salaries in each Wisconsin location next to the annual cost of living in each place:

Metropolitan Area Annual Living Wage Average CNA Salary Average LPN Salary Average RN Salary
Appleton $32,822.40 $35,780 $52,630 $75,920
Eau Claire $31,595.20 $35,680 $50,820 $79,420
Fond du Lac $32,281.60 $36,130 $51,390 $76,140
Green Bay $32,572.80 $36,200 $49,070 $77,800
Janesville-Beloit $33,550.40 $35,330 $53,320 $80,130
La Crosse-Onalaska $32,448.00 $36,370 $53,900 $87,780
Madison $36,379.20 $38,910 $53,720 $86,240
Milwaukee-Waukesha-
West Allis
$33,488.00 $37,290 $54,900 $82,040
Oshkosh-Neenah $32,760.00 $35,840 $49,580 $76,090
Racine $32,468.80 $36,450 $54,180 $79,200
Sheboygan $31,512.00 $36,540 $49,900 $78,310
Wausau $30,097.60 $35,070 $50,750 $75,510
Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area Data not available $36,250 $52,800 $81,190
Northwestern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area Data not available $35,900 $50,140 $74,790
Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area Data not available $35,180 $49,650 $76,530
South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area Data not available $35,550 $52,880 $77,190

Table created based on data from the MIT living wage calculator and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Most recent data as of June 29, 2023)

The great news is that CNAs, LPNs, and RNs can all make a living wage throughout Wisconsin. 

We can also see that the highest-paying locations are not necessarily the best places for nurses to make a good living. For example, CNAs in Madison earn the highest average salary for nursing assistants, but this salary is only about $2,500 above the living wage in that city. On the other hand, Sheboygan and Wausau offer CNAs the lowest average salaries, but these salaries offer CNAs the most income after covering basic living expenses in those cities.

What Are Fun Things to Do in Wisconsin?

Now, we know that you won’t make a decision regarding where to live and work solely based on potential salary and cost of living. Life is also about having fun! Here are just a few of the fun things you can do in Wisconsin.

Visit Wisconsin Dells: The Waterpark Capital of the World

If you have kids—or are a kid at heart—you must visit the many waterparks that the Dells have to offer. This city is not known as the “Waterpark Capital of the World” for nothing; it boasts the largest concentration of indoor and outdoor waterparks on Earth.

Here are just a few of Wisconsin Dells’ famous waterparks

  • Kalahari Resort Waterparks
  • Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park
  • Noah's Ark Waterpark
  • Wilderness Resort Waterpark
  • Chula Vista Resort Waterparks

Sample the Brew

Wisconsin has a rich beer tradition that dates way back to the Territorial era. The prevalence of breweries in Wisconsin is related to the settlement of German immigrants in this state, who brought the knowledge of German brewing techniques and the love of German-style lagers. The earliest breweries in the state date back to the 1830s. By the 1890s, there were 300 breweries operating in the state.

Are you a beer enthusiast? Check out ideas for a craft brewery tour itinerary here!

Taste the Cheese

As great as Wisconsin beer is, the truth is it has nothing on Wisconsin cheese. Wisconsin cheesemakers have been making cheese since before Wisconsin was a state and so far have 5,552 awards to their name. In fact, this state has one of two Master Cheesemaker programs in the world. In addition to well-known classics such as Cheddar, Colby, and Gouda, this state also boasts some award-winning Wisconsin originals:

  • Chandoka® 
  • BellaVitano®
  • Canaria™

Nurses in Madison can check out the Dane County Farmers’ Market—the country’s largest producer-only farmers market—for some of these world-famous cheeses.

Catch a Green Bay Packers Game

Are you a football fan? Then you must catch a game in Green Bay, the smallest city housing an NFL team. Check out the Packers’ schedule here, and make sure you visit the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame as well. Want to make some money while you’re visiting Green Bay? Look for PRN nursing jobs in Green Bay and cover most—if not all—your travel expenses!

Final Thoughts on Working in Wisconsin as a Nurse

If you are interested in pursuing a career in nursing, Wisconsin has amazing nursing programs to choose from. And if you are already a nurse, this state offers CNAs, LPNs, and RNs alike salaries that are well above the living wage. Finally, since Wisconsin is a compact nursing state—and assuming you have a nursing license from a compact nursing state—you can easily work there temporarily to see for yourself whether or not you see yourself working in Wisconsin as a nurse long term.

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