Best LPN Programs in Milwaukee 2026

The employment landscape for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is experiencing steady growth, driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare services. While Wisconsin primarily licenses LPNs, the Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) role is comparable in practice but is not a license issued in Wisconsin. The demand for practical nurses in Wisconsin is projected to grow by approximately 3.0% through 2032, according to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. Milwaukee leads the state in LPN job openings.

As of May 2023, the average hourly pay for an LPN in Milwaukee is $28.32, with the majority earning between $25.54 and $30.95 per hour. The average annual salary for an LPN in Milwaukee is around $58,900, ranging from $53,120 to $64,370. Milwaukee LPNs earn about 1% higher than the national average salary for LPNs. Experience significantly impacts salary, with those in the lower 25th percentile earning around $53,120 and those in the top 75th percentile earning approximately $64,370.

Types of Facilities Hiring LPNs in Milwaukee

LPNs in Milwaukee find diverse opportunities across various healthcare settings, including hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, home health agencies, rehabilitation centers, and private practices.

• Hospitals:Hospitals are significant employers for LPNs. In these settings, LPNs may collect samples for testing and perform routine laboratory tests.
  • Prominent employers include Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital Milwaukee, Granite Hills Hospital (a behavioral health facility in West Allis serving the greater Milwaukee community), and Froedtert Hospital.
• Nursing and Residential Care Facilities (Long-Term Care and Assisted Living):These facilities remain a primary work setting for LPNs, where they provide basic bedside care and may assist patients with feeding.
  • Employers in this sector include Clement Manor, Silver Springs Health Care Center, Luther Manor, Eastcastle Place, Autumn Lake Healthcare at Greenfield, Muskego Health and Rehabilitation, and St. Ann Health and Rehabilitation.
• Home Health Agencies:The demand for LPNs in home health environments is expected to increase due to the aging population. LPNs in home health travel to patients’ residences and may reinforce Registered Nurse (RN) instructions to family members on patient care.
  • Key employers include Heartland Home Health(a Gentiva company), Legacy Home Health Services, Maxim Healthcare Services (including for private duty nursing roles), and Vitas Healthcare, which hires Hospice Licensed Practical Nurses.
• Rehabilitation Centers:LPNs in rehabilitation provide nursing care to patients recovering from illness, injury, or surgery, assisting with medication administration, wound care, mobility support, and monitoring progress.
  • Facilities such as Milwaukee Rehabilitation Hospital at Greenfield, St. Ann Health and Rehabilitation, and Muskego Health and Rehabilitation offer opportunities.
• Private Practices and Outpatient Clinics:LPNs are also found in outpatient settings and physicians’ offices.
  • Employers include ProHealth Medical Group(with various clinics like Moreland Family Med Clinic and Waukesha South Clinic), Madison Medical Affiliates, Marathon Health, and BioLife Plasma Services for plasma donation centers.
• Other Settings:LPNs can also find employment in group homes, correctional facilities, and with the Veterans Health Administration for roles such as in the Mental Health Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MH DRRTP).

Major Healthcare Employers and Networks in Milwaukee

Milwaukee is home to several large healthcare systems and networks that are significant employers of LPNs:

• Advocate Aurora Health: One of the largest healthcare systems in Wisconsin, with various clinics and facilities in and around Milwaukee.
• Ascension Wisconsin: Operates multiple hospital campuses and related healthcare facilities, including Columbia St. Mary’s in Milwaukee.
• Froedtert: A significant healthcare organization in Milwaukee.
• Children’s Wisconsin: A major pediatric healthcare provider.
• ProHealth Care: Offers positions for LPNs in various medical groups and clinics across the Milwaukee metropolitan area.
• Maxim Healthcare Services: Frequently hires LPNs for home health and private duty nursing roles.
• Gentiva(Heartland Home Health): A prominent home health provider.

Smaller facilities and networks also contribute significantly to LPN employment opportunities in Milwaukee. These include Saint John’s on The Lake (senior living), St Camillus Health & Hospice, and Clement Manor (long-term care/assisted living). Additionally, agencies like Midwest Clinical Resource provide LPN positions in various facilities throughout Wisconsin, offering flexible work hours.