Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs in Wisconsin (Online & Campus) – 2025
Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
For pediatric nurse practitioners, Wisconsin offers a lot of options because it is a full-practice state for NPs. Graduates of pediatric nurse practitioner programs in Wisconsin can choose to go into acute or primary care, or they can establish their own individual practice. In the Badger State, pediatric nurse practitioners make $126,020 on average, and their services are in such high demand that their job opportunities are projected to skyrocket by 51 percent within the next ten years. Could this be the career path for you? The guide below to the best pediatric nurse practitioner programs in Wisconsin will help you find out.
FOLLOWING ARE THE PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN WISCONSIN (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the campus-based and online Pediatric Nurse Practitioner programs in Wisconsin.)
1. University of Wisconsin - Madison
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: Throughout my years in direct patient care, pediatrics was one of my favorite specialties to work in. If you are a nurse who enjoys caring for infants, children, and adolescents, pediatrics is a wonderful field to consider. There are many pathways to help achieve your goal of being a pediatric health provider. For instance, the University of Wisconsin offers a post-baccalaureate Doctor of Nursing Practice program with the option to specialize as a Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner.
This outstanding pediatric nurse practitioner program in Wisconsin prepares you to provide care to patients from birth through 21 years of age in various settings, including specialty practices, primary care clinics, and school health centers. Upon entry into the program, you will be assigned a faculty advisor who serves as your advocate throughout the program. Your advisor has access to campus resources and the School of Nursing faculty.
The program admits new students in the fall semester each year and is designed to be completed in three years of full-time study or four years on a part-time basis. The hybrid format offers a combination of online and face-to-face instruction. The BSN-to-DNP Pediatric NP program is a 68-credit pathway. The curriculum features classes, including Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Practice Nursing Theory: Family Process & Child Development, Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Nurses, and Evaluation & Application of Evidence-Based Practice.
All students complete a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours, including 820 advanced practice hours and 180 essential project hours. Clinicals are arranged collaboratively by the Graduate Clinical Placement Coordinator and the Specialty/Population Lead Faculty. Clinicals occur in multiple locations throughout Wisconsin, including rural and urban primary care, specialty care facilities, and Wisconsin’s Children’s Hospital.
One of the final requirements in the pediatric nurse practitioner program is to complete a DNP Scholarly Project. The project is your opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and insight you have obtained throughout your studies. The project requires you to identify a problem related to the quality and outcomes of healthcare. You will then propose an evidence-based strategy to address and evaluate the problem, implement the plan, collect evaluation data, and disseminate the results of your DNP Project.
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Admission to the BSN-to-DNP program is a two-step process between the Graduate School and the DNP program. Candidates for this program must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing from a regionally accredited United States institution, hold an unencumbered Wisconsin RN license, and have one year of professional nursing experience. Applicants are required to submit a copy of their RN license, an application essay, a curriculum vitae or resume, three letters of recommendation, and official transcripts from all post-secondary schools. A minimum 3.0 grade point average for the last 60 baccalaureate credits is required, as well as completion of a graduate-level statistics course with a grade of “B” or better (taken within the last five years).
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Finding a high-quality pediatric nurse practitioner program is essential to ensure your likelihood of success. Throughout my career as a nurse and nursing educator, I learned there are several factors potential students should consider that indicate program quality. One indicator is APRN certification pass rates. For example, graduates of the pediatric nurse practitioner program at the University of Wisconsin have a 100% pass rate on their national certification examinations.• The School of Nursing prides itself on fostering a strong community within student and teacher relationships. The pediatric nurse practitioner program is led by experienced faculty with real-world, diverse experiences who are committed to your success. As a student in the program, you will benefit from professional support and personalized mentorship.
• If you are interested in exploring the world while earning your degree and gaining clinical experience, the University of Wisconsin is an excellent choice! Through the school’s Global Health program, you have opportunities to provide care to patients in underserved villages in Belize.
• Another opportunity for PNP program students at the University of Wisconsin is the WI LEND (Wisconsin Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and Related Disabilities) fellowship. The WI LEND program is a training program funded by the federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Department of Health and Human Services. The program is designed to provide in-depth training and expertise in caring for children with neurodevelopmental and related disabilities.
• As a nurse educator, I believe any steps you take to increase your knowledge and expertise are worthwhile. One of the awesome things about nursing is that you can pursue endless avenues of learning. At the University of Wisconsin, students in the pediatric nurse practitioner program have the opportunity to complete the Nurse Educator Certificate Program and/or the Global Health Certificate Program. These certificate options complement the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program, creating new avenues of learning and development, which can impact your career in both the short- and long-term. Opportunities like this one are just one of several reasons I believe this is one of the best pediatric nurse practitioner programs in Wisconsin!
• The University of Wisconsin School of Nursing offers generous scholarship opportunities. Scholarships are awarded based on personal qualifications, community involvement, leadership experience, academic achievement, and financial need. The school provides more than $1.6 million to eligible nursing students annually! The Office of Student Financial Aid has advisors available to assist you in identifying available resources.
HOW MUCH DO PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER GRADUATES MAKE IN WISCONSIN?
WHAT STARTING SALARY CAN NEW GRADUATES OF PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN WISCONSIN EXPECT?
| Hourly | $44.57 |
| Weekly | $1,783 |
| Monthly | $7,730 |
| Annual | $92,710 |
HOW MUCH CAN GRADUATES OF PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN WISCONSIN EARN WITH EXPERIENCE?
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Entry-Level | $44.57 | $1,783 | $7,730 | $92,710 |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $50.43 | $2,017 | $8,740 | $104,900 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $59.53 | $2,381 | $10,320 | $123,830 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $66.30 | $2,652 | $11,490 | $137,910 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $79.23 | $3,169 | $13,730 | $164,800 |
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN WISCONSIN?
| Hourly | $60.59 |
| Weekly | $2,423 |
| Monthly | $10,500 |
| Annual | $126,020 |
HOW MUCH DO PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONERS EARN IN THE VARIOUS METROS OF WISCONSIN?
| Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Appleton | $61.18 | $2,447 | $10,600 | $127,250 |
| Eau Claire | $60.96 | $2,438 | $10,570 | $126,790 |
| Green Bay | $58.12 | $2,325 | $10,070 | $120,890 |
| Janesville-Beloit | $61.62 | $2,465 | $10,680 | $128,170 |
| Madison | $63.35 | $2,534 | $10,980 | $131,770 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis | $59.34 | $2,374 | $10,290 | $123,430 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah | $61.17 | $2,447 | $10,600 | $127,230 |
| Racine | $57.68 | $2,307 | $10,000 | $119,980 |
| Sheboygan | $59.01 | $2,361 | $10,230 | $122,750 |
| Wausau | $59.90 | $2,396 | $10,380 | $124,590 |
PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN WISCONSIN VS. OTHER SALARIES
PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN WISCONSIN VS. PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN THE NATION
| Average Wisconsin Pediatric NP Annual Salary | Average National Pediatric NP Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| $126,020 | $126,175 | -$155 | -0.12% |
PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN WISCONSIN VS. PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARIES IN OTHER STATES
| State | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| California | $158,630 | -$32,610 | -20.56% |
| Nevada | $145,990 | -$19,970 | -13.68% |
| Washington | $142,780 | -$16,760 | -11.74% |
| New Jersey | $142,420 | -$16,400 | -11.52% |
| Oregon | $142,340 | -$16,320 | -11.47% |
| Massachusetts | $141,420 | -$15,400 | -10.89% |
| New York | $140,260 | -$14,240 | -10.15% |
| Connecticut | $134,510 | -$8,490 | -6.31% |
| New Mexico | $134,310 | -$8,290 | -6.17% |
| Minnesota | $132,580 | -$6,560 | -4.95% |
| District of Columbia | $132,420 | -$6,400 | -4.83% |
| Rhode Island | $131,060 | -$5,040 | -3.85% |
| Hawaii | $130,220 | -$4,200 | -3.23% |
| Arizona | $130,170 | -$4,150 | -3.19% |
| Delaware | $128,750 | -$2,730 | -2.12% |
| Iowa | $128,460 | -$2,440 | -1.90% |
| New Hampshire | $128,380 | -$2,360 | -1.84% |
| Texas | $127,670 | -$1,650 | -1.29% |
| Wisconsin | $126,020 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Maryland | $125,680 | +$340 | +0.27% |
| Utah | $125,520 | +$500 | +0.40% |
| North Dakota | $125,460 | +$560 | +0.45% |
| Pennsylvania | $125,150 | +$870 | +0.70% |
| Illinois | $124,610 | +$1,410 | +1.13% |
| Alaska | $123,900 | +$2,120 | +1.71% |
| Vermont | $123,830 | +$2,190 | +1.77% |
| Montana | $122,390 | +$3,630 | +2.97% |
| Idaho | $122,310 | +$3,710 | +3.03% |
| Oklahoma | $122,090 | +$3,930 | +3.22% |
| Wyoming | $121,330 | +$4,690 | +3.87% |
| Indiana | $121,100 | +$4,920 | +4.06% |
| Maine | $120,720 | +$5,300 | +4.39% |
| Ohio | $120,660 | +$5,360 | +4.44% |
| Colorado | $119,790 | +$6,230 | +5.20% |
| Nebraska | $119,490 | +$6,530 | +5.46% |
| North Carolina | $119,400 | +$6,620 | +5.54% |
| Georgia | $118,970 | +$7,050 | +5.93% |
| South Dakota | $118,800 | +$7,220 | +6.08% |
| Virginia | $118,690 | +$7,330 | +6.18% |
| Michigan | $118,510 | +$7,510 | +6.34% |
| Florida | $117,550 | +$8,470 | +7.21% |
| Kansas | $117,120 | +$8,900 | +7.60% |
| Louisiana | $116,530 | +$9,490 | +8.14% |
| Mississippi | $115,370 | +$10,650 | +9.23% |
| South Carolina | $114,830 | +$11,190 | +9.74% |
| Missouri | $114,580 | +$11,440 | +9.98% |
| West Virginia | $111,410 | +$14,610 | +13.11% |
| Arkansas | $111,370 | +$14,650 | +13.15% |
| Kentucky | $108,380 | +$17,640 | +16.28% |
| Alabama | $108,040 | +$17,980 | +16.64% |
| Tennessee | $101,850 | +$24,170 | +23.73% |
PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN WISCONSIN VS. OTHER NURSE SALARIES IN WISCONSIN
| Type of Nurse | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Nurse Anesthetist | $247,160 | -$121,140 | -49.01% |
| Nurse Midwife | $128,550 | -$2,530 | -1.97% |
| Pediatric Nurse Practitioner | $126,020 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Registered Nurse | $87,220 | +$38,800 | +44.49% |
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Post-secondary | $78,810 | +$47,210 | +59.90% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $57,190 | +$68,830 | +120.35% |
| Nursing Assistant | $40,600 | +$85,420 | +210.39% |
PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN WISCONSIN VS. SALARIES OF OTHER CLOSELY RELATED OCCUPATIONS IN WISCONSIN
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Podiatrist | $187,870 | -$61,850 | -32.92% |
| Dentist | $179,260 | -$53,240 | -29.70% |
| Veterinarian | $150,910 | -$24,890 | -16.49% |
| Optometrist | $143,750 | -$17,730 | -12.33% |
| Pharmacist | $139,980 | -$13,960 | -9.97% |
| Physician Assistant | $127,770 | -$1,750 | -1.37% |
| Pediatric Nurse Practitioner | $126,020 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Physical Therapist | $95,180 | +$30,840 | +32.40% |
| Chiropractor | $91,180 | +$34,840 | +38.21% |
| Audiologist | $89,540 | +$36,480 | +40.74% |
| Radiation Therapist | $86,540 | +$39,480 | +45.62% |
| Occupational Therapist | $85,030 | +$40,990 | +48.21% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,820 | +$42,200 | +50.35% |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,450 | +$45,570 | +56.64% |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. Who Accredits Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs In Wisconsin?
| S.No. | Accrediting Agency |
| 1 | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
| 2 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
2. How Many Accredited Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Schools Are There In Wisconsin?
| 1 |
3. On Average, How Much Does A Pediatric NP Make Per Hour In Wisconsin?
| $60.59 |
4. On Average, How Much Does A Pediatric NP Make Per Week In Wisconsin?
| $2,423 |
5. On Average, How Much Does A Pediatric NP Make Per Month In Wisconsin?
| $10,500 |
6. On Average, How Much Does A Pediatric NP Make Per Year In Wisconsin?
| $126,020 |
7. What Is The Job Outlook For Pediatric Nurse Practitioners In Wisconsin?
| 10-Year Job Outlook (2020-2030) |
| +51.11% |
Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and Allied Health educator with over twenty years of experience. She has assisted in developing curriculum for nursing programs and has instructed students at both community college and university levels. Because of her love of nursing education, Darby became a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach and assists nursing graduates across the United States who are preparing to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
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