Wisconsin RN Jobs 2025: Milwaukee, Madison Salaries, Compact & Top Hospital Systems
Milwaukee and Madison—the combo you didn't see coming. Milwaukee's got Froedtert and Aurora (big systems, solid pay), Madison's got UW Health (academic powerhouse, slightly higher salaries). And here's the kicker: neither city's housing market will bankrupt you like it would in Denver or Portland.
I met a travel nurse from California who took a 13-week contract at UW Health and never left. She said, "I'm making $86K, my 1BR costs $1,100, and I can actually save money for the first time in my career." That's the Wisconsin pitch—surprising opportunities without the West Coast tax.
The Compact license is clutch here—you can work in Wisconsin, then hop over to Illinois or Minnesota for PRN shifts without extra paperwork. And if you're into specialty training, UW Health's Magnet status and Froedtert's academic partnership with Medical College of Wisconsin mean you're getting real clinical education, not just bedside babysitting.
Winters are brutal, though. Let's not sugarcoat it—January through March is a test of character. But if you can handle the cold, Wisconsin's got one of the best pay-to-cost-of-living ratios in the Midwest.
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Bottom Line: Should You Work in Wisconsin?
If you want academic credentials without California prices, Madison's your play—UW Health will train you right and pay you fairly. If you want big-system stability with multiple hospital options, Milwaukee's got you covered with Froedtert and Aurora. Either way, your paycheck will actually stretch here.
My recommendation? Take a travel contract first (test the winter), and if you survive January without fleeing to Arizona, you've found your people. Wisconsin nurses are tougher than they look.