Nurse Practitioner Pay

Madison vs Pewaukee: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Madison, WI and Pewaukee, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Madison, WI
$137,671
$66.19/hr
Pewaukee, WI
$129,717
$62.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WIPewaukee, WI
Median Salary$137,671$129,717
Hourly Rate$66.19$62.36
Entry Level (P10)$112,098$103,699
25th Percentile$131,702$116,861
75th Percentile$159,510$148,991
Top Earner (P90)$173,103$154,833
Total Employed5304
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($137,671) and Pewaukee ($129,717) nurse practitioner salaries.MadisonPewaukeeMedian Salary$137,671$129,717Entry Level (P10)$112,098$103,699Top Earner (P90)$173,103$154,833US Median $136,864

Verdict

Madison, WI offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pewaukee.

The salary gap between Madison and Pewaukee is $7,954 (6.13%). Madison's median is +0.59% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Madison spans $61,005,Pewaukee spans $51,134. Madison has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Madison
P10 (Entry)$112,098
P25$131,702
Median$137,671
P75$159,510
P90 (Top)$173,103
Pewaukee
P10 (Entry)$103,699
P25$116,861
Median$129,717
P75$148,991
P90 (Top)$154,833

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($141,510 effective) pays 1.89% more than Pewaukee ($138,883 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $137,671
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $141,510
Pewaukee
Nominal: $129,717
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $138,883

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($137,671/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($173,103)
  • Larger job market (530 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $141,510)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Pewaukee if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Madison grew 18.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 11.8% growth in Pewaukee over the same period.

Madison, WI

+18.9%

$111,930 (2019) → $133,080 (2025)

Pewaukee, WI

+11.8%

$112,132 (2024) → $125,391 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Madison or Pewaukee?

Madison has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $137,671/year, compared to Pewaukee at $129,717/year — a difference of $7,954 (6.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Pewaukee?

Madison nurse practitioners earn $66.19/hr while Pewaukee hygienists earn $62.36/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Madison to Pewaukee as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Pewaukee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $141,510, Pewaukee = $138,883), job availability (530 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Madison vs Pewaukee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $112,098 in Madison and $103,699 in Pewaukee. The Madison area offers higher starting salaries.
MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, DNP, APRNData verified by Aisha Khan, MSN, FNP-BC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.45% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov