Nurse Practitioner Pay

Madison vs Pleasant Prairie: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

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

Madison, WI
$137,671
$66.19/hr
Pleasant Prairie, WI
$129,318
$62.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WIPleasant Prairie, WI
Median Salary$137,671$129,318
Hourly Rate$66.19$62.17
Entry Level (P10)$112,098$102,552
25th Percentile$131,702$116,003
75th Percentile$159,510$147,918
Top Earner (P90)$173,103$165,675
Total Employed5304
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($137,671) and Pleasant Prairie ($129,318) nurse practitioner salaries.MadisonPleasant PrairieMedian Salary$137,671$129,318Entry Level (P10)$112,098$102,552Top Earner (P90)$173,103$165,675US Median $136,864

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Madison and Pleasant Prairie is $8,353 (6.46%). 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,Pleasant Prairie spans $63,123. Pleasant Prairie has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse practitioners.

Madison
P10 (Entry)$112,098
P25$131,702
Median$137,671
P75$159,510
P90 (Top)$173,103
Pleasant Prairie
P10 (Entry)$102,552
P25$116,003
Median$129,318
P75$147,918
P90 (Top)$165,675

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($141,510 effective) pays 2.21% more than Pleasant Prairie ($138,456 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $137,671
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $141,510
Pleasant Prairie
Nominal: $129,318
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $138,456

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 Pleasant Prairie 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 Pleasant Prairie over the same period.

Madison, WI

+18.9%

$111,930 (2019) → $133,080 (2025)

Pleasant Prairie, WI

+11.8%

$111,787 (2024) → $125,005 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Madison or Pleasant Prairie?

Madison has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $137,671/year, compared to Pleasant Prairie at $129,318/year — a difference of $8,353 (6.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Pleasant Prairie?

Madison nurse practitioners earn $66.19/hr while Pleasant Prairie hygienists earn $62.17/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Madison to Pleasant Prairie as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Pleasant Prairie. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $141,510, Pleasant Prairie = $138,456), job availability (530 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $112,098 in Madison and $102,552 in Pleasant Prairie. 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