Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Salary in Wisconsin
At $63,760 a year, the median for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in Wisconsin is close to the national median of $64,400 (−1%); Wisconsin ranks 26th of 51 states by median. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earn 27% more than the median across all occupations in Wisconsin ($50,270). Among neighbouring states, Illinois and Michigan pay more (up to $75,000 in Illinois) and Minnesota and Iowa pay less (down to $62,630 in Iowa). Wisconsin employs 7,390 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, 2.51 per 1,000 jobs, the 28th largest count of any state. A location quotient of 0.60 means it is less common in Wisconsin than nationally.
Wisconsin vs the United States, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Wisconsin | Hourly | $24.91 | $28.67 | $30.65 | $36.06 | $37.73 | $31.67 | 7,390 | 2.51 | 0.60 |
| Annual | $51,820 | $59,620 | $63,760 | $75,010 | $78,490 | $65,870 | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $23.91 | $28.37 | $30.96 | $36.55 | $40.12 | $32.24 | 648,410 | – | – |
| Annual | $49,740 | $59,000 | $64,400 | $76,030 | $83,440 | $67,050 | ||||
- Rank by median
- 26th of 51 states
- Rank by employment
- 28th of 51 states
- Location quotient
- 0.60
- Jobs per 1,000
- 2.51
Ranks count the 50 states and DC with a published value. The location quotient is the occupation's share of Wisconsin's employment divided by its national share; 1.00 means the same share as the nation. Take-home pay at these wages: FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Metropolitan areas in Wisconsin
15 metropolitan areas and 4 nonmetropolitan areas touching Wisconsin publish a row for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, sorted by median. Areas crossing a state line are listed under every state they touch; a linked metro has its own profile.
| Area | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $31.57 | $65,660 | $56,820 | $77,260 | 6,300 | 3.23 | 0.77 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $31.45 | $65,410 | $55,620 | $79,830 | 1,890 | 2.30 | 0.55 |
| Kenosha, WI | $31.42 | $65,350 | $52,860 | $79,220 | 250 | 3.26 | 0.78 |
| Appleton, WI | $31.39 | $65,300 | $50,040 | $78,340 | 370 | 3.02 | 0.72 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $31.38 | $65,270 | $55,190 | $76,380 | 160 | 3.65 | 0.88 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $31.18 | $64,850 | $57,300 | $77,960 | 180 | 2.41 | 0.58 |
| Madison, WI | $31.04 | $64,550 | $55,800 | $79,370 | 650 | 1.60 | 0.38 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $30.77 | $64,000 | $49,870 | $76,650 | 190 | 2.66 | 0.64 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $30.74 | $63,950 | $51,670 | $77,170 | 260 | 3.13 | 0.75 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $30.20 | $62,820 | $53,850 | $77,060 | 160 | 2.60 | 0.62 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $29.31 | $60,960 | $51,550 | $75,680 | 270 | 2.84 | 0.68 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $29.30 | $60,950 | $51,050 | $74,630 | 250 | 2.89 | 0.69 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $29.29 | $60,930 | $49,210 | $71,150 | 630 | 5.05 | 1.21 |
| Green Bay, WI | $29.23 | $60,790 | $50,420 | $73,820 | 600 | 3.44 | 0.82 |
| Wausau, WI | $29.02 | $60,360 | $49,450 | $73,930 | 150 | 2.12 | 0.51 |
| South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $30.64 | $63,720 | $51,490 | $76,380 | 650 | 3.07 | 0.74 |
| Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $30.52 | $63,480 | $54,990 | $76,280 | 380 | 2.99 | 0.72 |
| Northwestern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $30.27 | $62,950 | $50,850 | $76,870 | 140 | 2.96 | 0.71 |
| Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $29.08 | $60,490 | $50,980 | $75,720 | 540 | 2.77 | 0.66 |
Neighbouring states
See the national page for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (every state ranked) and the Wisconsin wage profile (every occupation in the state).
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS Wisconsin estimates.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.