How much is the licensed practical nurse vs nursing assistant (cna) pay gap in Wisconsin?

The estimated gap in Wisconsin is about $22,140 a year, or roughly 52% more for licensed practical nurses. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.

Are these Wisconsin figures exact?

No — they're modeled estimates, not verified Wisconsin wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for Wisconsin's cost of labor, and they update to verified numbers when official state data is loaded.

Why are some figures verified and others estimates?

National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.

Wisconsin · WI

Licensed Practical Nurse vs Nursing Assistant (CNA) salary in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, licensed practical nurses earn more — an estimated $64,400 a year versus $42,260 for nursing assistant (cna)s, a gap of about $22,140 (roughly 52% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Wisconsin.

Licensed Practical Nurse — Wisconsin

Estimated

Median annual pay

$64,400

At national

Hourly

$30.96/hr

Median $64,400

$49,740Middle 50%: $59,000–$76,030$83,440

Typical range: $59,000–$76,030; What most nurses earn
High end: $83,440; Top earners
Entry level: $49,740; Newer nurses

Nursing Assistant (CNA) — Wisconsin

Estimated

Median annual pay

$42,260

At national

Hourly

$20.32/hr

Median $42,260

$33,940Middle 50%: $37,260–$47,220$51,980

Typical range: $37,260–$47,220; What most nurses earn
High end: $51,980; Top earners
Entry level: $33,940; Newer nurses

Why the gap in Wisconsin

Licensed practical nurses earn more than certified nursing assistants because LPNs hold a state nursing license earned by passing the NCLEX-PN and practice with a broader clinical scope, including medication administration and treatments. The CNA is a shorter certificate credential limited to basic care tasks under supervision. The Wisconsin figures apply the same local pay adjustment to both roles, so the gap here mirrors the national picture, shifted for Wisconsin's cost of labor. Actual pay varies with experience, specialty, shift, and employer — compare the national Licensed Practical Nurse vs Nursing Assistant (CNA) comparison or personalize the calculator.

Licensed Practical Nurse vs Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Wisconsin — FAQ

Do licensed practical nurses or nursing assistant (cna)s earn more in Wisconsin?: In Wisconsin, licensed practical nurses earn more — an estimated $64,400 a year versus $42,260 for nursing assistant (cna)s, a gap of about $22,140 (roughly 52% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Wisconsin's local pay level.
How much is the licensed practical nurse vs nursing assistant (cna) pay gap in Wisconsin?: The estimated gap in Wisconsin is about $22,140 a year, or roughly 52% more for licensed practical nurses. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.
Are these Wisconsin figures exact?: No — they're modeled estimates, not verified Wisconsin wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for Wisconsin's cost of labor, and they update to verified numbers when official state data is loaded.
Why are some figures verified and others estimates?: National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.

Source & confidence— An estimate based on national nurse pay and local cost of living. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.

Modeled estimate (BLS national × state wage index)

Wisconsin figures are estimated by adjusting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS national median for local pay levels (a state adjustment of 1.00×).

Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 3, 2026. Full methodology

Estimated figures for Wisconsin. Last reviewed July 3, 2026.