Registered Nurse Salary in Oshkosh, WI: $91,978 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Oshkosh, WI earns a median $91,978/year (≈ $44.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Oshkosh's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.9), that paycheck buys what $98,977 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, registered nurses in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, can expect a median annual salary of $91,978, reflecting local compensation dynamics that often distinguish between staff and travel nurses. Pay ranges from $82,216 at the 10th percentile to $115,736 at the 90th percentile, according to projections derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data. While Oshkosh's registered nurse salary reflects a 10.47% lower median than the national average of $102,730, the growing nursing job market in the area, driven by demand in hospitals and healthcare facilities, offers opportunities for aspiring nurses. Local conditions favor those who understand how to navigate the distinct pay structures that exist between various nursing roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,216 | $39.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,891 | $41.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,978 | $44.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,627 | $51.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,736 | $55.65 |
Median Salary Position
10.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oshkosh
In Oshkosh, WI, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,520 (2026 est.). At $91,978, the local median is 10.47% below the national median of $102,730.
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At 40 hours/week in Oshkosh: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oshkosh Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Oshkosh median: $91,978/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oshkosh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $93,951 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -10.47% less |
Registered Nurses in Oshkosh, WI earn a median of $91,978 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.47% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 2.10% below the Wisconsin state average of $93,951.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oshkosh has a cost of living 7.07% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oshkosh, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.929 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $91,978 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,977 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,320
2025 BLS Actual
$87,340
2026 Current Est.
$91,978
2019–2027 Growth
+37.7%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Oshkosh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,380 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,110 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,978 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,862 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oshkosh metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 24.2% from $70,320 (2019) to $87,340 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,862 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,542 (37.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oshkosh metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $82,216 – $85,891 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,891 – $91,978 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,978 – $107,627 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,627 – $115,736 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Oshkosh
Despite the median salary in Oshkosh being lower than the national benchmark, the local job market shows promise with approximately 2,050 registered nurses employed in the area. The cost-of-living index in Oshkosh stands at 92.929, indicating a more affordable environment compared to national averages, which can enhance overall take-home pay. Among local employers, hospital systems, especially those that have achieved Magnet status, typically offer the highest compensation, often coupled with specialty certification bonuses. Factors contributing to the income range include shift differentials, where night shifts might command an extra $3-7 per hour, as well as variations in roles such as charge nurse positions in critical care settings. For those aiming to maximize their registered nurse pay in Oshkosh, pursuing further specialty certifications and considering weekend shifts can lead to significant financial rewards.
More salary data for Oshkosh, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $87,340 for registered nursesin the Oshkosh metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov