Registered Nurse Salary in Madison, WI
Registered Nurses in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median $101,190 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $76,035 take-home, or $6,336 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median registered nurse salary in Madison, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,432
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,274
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,467
- Wisconsin income tax$3,983
- Take-home pay$76,035
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.30% state
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Madison, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,760 | $39.31 | $63,395 | $5,283 |
| 25th percentile | $87,270 | $41.96 | $66,980 | $5,582 |
| Median (50th) | $101,190 | $48.65 | $76,035 | $6,336 |
| 75th percentile | $103,150 | $49.59 | $77,310 | $6,442 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,240 | $59.25 | $90,349 | $7,529 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $101,190 buys in Madison, WI
Prices in Madison, WI are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 0% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median registered nurse's $76,035 take-home pay has the buying power of $78,155 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Madison, WI has 1.2× the national concentration of registered nurse jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Madison, WI ranks #69 of 370 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $216,740 | $142,511 | $129,059 |
| 2 | Vallejo, CA | $203,290 | $134,031 | $123,555 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa, CA | $174,550 | $116,298 | $107,899 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $171,460 | $114,514 | $107,353 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $186,610 | $123,394 | $106,730 |
| 6 | Santa Cruz, CA | $170,960 | $114,225 | $103,939 |
| 7 | Yuba City, CA | $149,320 | $101,728 | $97,597 |
| 8 | Olympia, WA | $125,020 | $96,717 | $93,293 |
| 69 | Madison, WI | $101,190 | $76,035 | $78,155 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 370 metros →
Registered Nurse salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- La Crosse, WI — $98,370
- Fond du Lac, WI — $93,890
- Eau Claire, WI — $93,410
- Milwaukee, WI — $97,360
- Janesville, WI — $93,030
- Wausau, WI — $89,190
- Oshkosh, WI — $87,340
- Appleton, WI — $86,680
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Madison, WI?
The median registered nurse salary in the Madison, WI metro area is $101,190 a year, or about $48.65 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $87,270 and $103,150.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Madison, WI?
On the median $101,190 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $76,035 a year ($6,336 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,983 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Madison, WI a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $78,155 would in a typical U.S. city. Madison, WI ranks #69 of 370 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse afford rent in Madison, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Madison, WI is $1,377 a month ($1,600 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Pharmacist — $158,120
- Physician Assistant — $133,950
- Nurse Practitioner — $133,080
- Physical Therapist — $102,810
- Dental Hygienist — $100,340
- Occupational Therapist — $95,670
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $80,920
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $64,550
- Psychiatric Technician — $64,380
- Medical Records Specialist — $61,860
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $59,090