Dialysis Technician Salary

Milwaukee vs Onalaska: Dialysis Technician Salary (2026)

Compare dialysis technician salaries between Milwaukee, WI and Onalaska, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Milwaukee, WI
$46,277
$22.25/hr
Onalaska, WI
$43,929
$21.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WIOnalaska, WI
Median Salary$46,277$43,929
Hourly Rate$22.25$21.12
Entry Level (P10)$41,401$34,591
25th Percentile$44,681$40,676
75th Percentile$56,614$53,490
Top Earner (P90)$72,106$68,089
Total Employed1,3104
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($46,277) and Onalaska ($43,929) dialysis technician salaries.MilwaukeeOnalaskaMedian Salary$46,277$43,929Entry Level (P10)$41,401$34,591Top Earner (P90)$72,106$68,089US Median $45,322

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for dialysis technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Onalaska.

The salary gap between Milwaukee and Onalaska is $2,348 (5.34%). Milwaukee's median is +2.11% compared to the US national median of $45,322.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Milwaukee spans $30,705,Onalaska spans $33,498. Onalaska has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dialysis technicians.

Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$41,401
P25$44,681
Median$46,277
P75$56,614
P90 (Top)$72,106
Onalaska
P10 (Entry)$34,591
P25$40,676
Median$43,929
P75$53,490
P90 (Top)$68,089

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($47,739 effective) pays 1.50% more than Onalaska ($47,033 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $46,277
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $47,739
Onalaska
Nominal: $43,929
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $47,033

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,277/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($72,106)
  • Larger job market (1,310 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,739)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Onalaska if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dialysis technician salaries in Milwaukee grew 16.1% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 9.6% growth in Onalaska over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+16.1%

$38,910 (2021) → $45,188 (2025)

Onalaska, WI

+9.6%

$39,148 (2024) → $42,895 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dialysis technicians more: Milwaukee or Onalaska?

Milwaukee has a higher median dialysis technician salary at $46,277/year, compared to Onalaska at $43,929/year — a difference of $2,348 (5.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and Onalaska?

Milwaukee dialysis technicians earn $22.25/hr while Onalaska hygienists earn $21.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukee to Onalaska as a dialysis technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and Onalaska. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $47,739, job availability (1,310 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dialysis technicians earn in Milwaukee vs Onalaska?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dialysis technicians earn $41,401 in Milwaukee and $34,591 in Onalaska. The Milwaukee area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JT

Written by Jessica Tran, CCRN

Career Analyst

Jessica has over 10 years as a dialysis technician. She specializes in chronic kidney disease management. She works at a community hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Robinson, RNData verified by Amina Patel, BSN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.41% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, CCRN, a licensed dialysis technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov