Nursing Assistant Salary in Appleton, WI
Nursing Assistants in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median $44,760 a year — 6% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $36,956 take-home, or $3,080 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median nursing assistant salary in Appleton, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,191
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,775
- Medicare (1.45%)$649
- Wisconsin income tax$1,188
- Take-home pay$36,956
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Nursing Assistant pay by experience in Appleton, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,260 | $17.91 | $31,260 | $2,605 |
| 25th percentile | $38,950 | $18.73 | $32,544 | $2,712 |
| Median (50th) | $44,760 | $21.52 | $36,956 | $3,080 |
| 75th percentile | $46,790 | $22.50 | $38,498 | $3,208 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,510 | $23.80 | $40,564 | $3,380 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $44,760 buys in Appleton, WI
Prices in Appleton, WI are 7.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 29% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median nursing assistant's $36,956 take-home pay has the buying power of $39,988 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Nursing Assistant jobs are about as common in Appleton, WI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.85).
Best-paying cities for nursing assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Appleton, WI ranks #20 of 355 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Forks, ND | $45,740 | $38,932 | $44,924 |
| 2 | Bismarck, ND | $46,720 | $39,720 | $43,636 |
| 3 | Vineland, NJ | $48,890 | $40,310 | $42,003 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $46,840 | $38,129 | $41,982 |
| 5 | Yakima, WA | $47,080 | $40,009 | $41,874 |
| 6 | Longview, WA | $47,830 | $40,611 | $41,634 |
| 7 | Mankato, MN | $46,430 | $37,821 | $41,582 |
| 8 | San Jose, CA | $56,840 | $45,652 | $41,343 |
| 20 | Appleton, WI | $44,760 | $36,956 | $39,988 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 355 metros →
Nursing Assistant salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- Sheboygan, WI — $47,050
- Fond du Lac, WI — $44,490
- Oshkosh, WI — $44,590
- Racine, WI — $45,710
- La Crosse, WI — $43,510
- Wausau, WI — $43,660
- Milwaukee, WI — $45,690
- Green Bay, WI — $43,450
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Appleton, WI?
The median nursing assistant salary in the Appleton, WI metro area is $44,760 a year, or about $21.52 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,950 and $46,790.
What is a nursing assistant’s take-home pay in Appleton, WI?
On the median $44,760 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $36,956 a year ($3,080 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,188 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Appleton, WI a good place to work as a nursing assistant?
Pay here is 6% above the national median of $42,260. Local prices are 7.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $39,988 would in a typical U.S. city. Appleton, WI ranks #20 of 355 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Appleton, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Appleton, WI is $960 a month ($1,236 for two bedrooms) — 31% of a median nursing assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Appleton, WI
- Medical Assistant — $49,330
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $37,010