Registered Nurse salary in Madison
A registered nurse in the Madison, WI area earns an estimated $101,190 a year ($48.65/hr) — about 4% above the U.S. average, with most between $87,270 and $103,150. City figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
Registered Nurse — Madison, WI
Verified public wage dataMedian annual pay
$101,190
+4% vs nationalHourly
$48.65/hr
- Typical range
- $87,270–$103,150
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $123,240
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $81,760
- Newer nurses
Part of Registered Nurse pay in Wisconsin.
Other nursing roles in Madison
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this metro.
What affects registered nurse pay in Madison
State capital; strong academic market. For a registered nurse, local pay also reflects the concentration of major hospital systems and academic medical centers, union contracts, shift differentials, unit acuity, and how competitive staffing is. Nights, weekends, and critical-care specialties typically add to base pay. Use the calculator to estimate your own.
Where this figure comes from
This is the actual median wage reported for Madison, WI in official U.S. government wage data — about 4% above the U.S. average. It is measured from employer-reported payroll, not estimated from a national average.
In Madison, WI, the lowest-paid 10% earn about $81,760 and the highest-paid 10% about $123,240. Where you land depends on specialty, shift, overtime, union status, employer type, and years of experience.
Source year: 2025. Updated when new official wage data is published.
How to use this metro figure
- It’s the median actually reported for Madison — half of nurses earn more, half earn less. A midpoint, not an offer you’re guaranteed.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in Madison make this page more precise over time.
Registered Nurse salary in Madison — FAQ
- How much does a registered nurse make in Madison?
- A registered nurse in the Madison, WI area earns an estimated $101,190 a year — about $48.65 an hour, with most between $87,270 and $103,150. That's about 4% above the national average. This is an estimate based on the role's national pay and Madison's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
- Is Madison a good place for registered nurses?
- On pay, Madison runs about 4% above the national average for registered nurses. Big-city wages are often offset by a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $101,190 against local housing and expenses.
- How does Madison registered nurse pay compare to Wisconsin overall?
- Statewide, Wisconsin registered nurses earn an estimated $95,530 a year, versus about $101,190 in Madison. Metro pay can run above or below the state figure depending on hospital concentration and local demand.
- Why are some figures verified and others estimates?
- National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.
Source & confidence— A verified figure from official U.S. public wage data.
BLS OEWS (May 2025, metro)
Madison, WI figures are published directly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Madison, WI (May 2025). They are not estimated or adjusted.
Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 17, 2026. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national registered nurse pay adjusted for Madison. Last reviewed July 17, 2026.