Registered Nurse Salary in Madison, WI — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Madison's cost of living (index: 102). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Registered Nurse Salary in Madison — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Madison
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in Madison
Madison has a metro population of 680,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 2.4% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.
Financial Calculators for Madison
Other Professions in Madison
Registered Nurse Salary — Other Wisconsin Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Registered Nurse make in Madison, WI?
The estimated median salary for a Registered Nurse in Madison is $87,791 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $86,070 adjusted by Madison's cost of living index (102). The typical salary range runs from $70,268 (25th percentile) to $109,844 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $135,334.
Is Madison affordable for a Registered Nurse?
On a $87,791 annual salary, a Registered Nurse in Madison would spend approximately 20.5% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,499/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Madison relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $380,000 is 4.3× the annual salary.
How does a Registered Nurse's salary compare to Madison's overall income?
Madison's median household income is $74,200. A Registered Nurse earning the city-adjusted median of $87,791 earns 18.3% more than the typical Madison household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.