Dialysis Technician Salary

Milwaukee vs Waukesha: Dialysis Technician Salary (2026)

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

Milwaukee, WI
$46,277
$22.25/hr
Waukesha, WI
$46,860
$22.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WIWaukesha, WI
Median Salary$46,277$46,860
Hourly Rate$22.25$22.53
Entry Level (P10)$41,401$34,816
25th Percentile$44,681$40,238
75th Percentile$56,614$58,807
Top Earner (P90)$72,106$72,632
Total Employed1,31014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($46,277) and Waukesha ($46,860) dialysis technician salaries.MilwaukeeWaukeshaMedian Salary$46,277$46,860Entry Level (P10)$41,401$34,816Top Earner (P90)$72,106$72,632US Median $45,322

Verdict

Waukesha, WI offers better overall compensation for dialysis technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Milwaukee.

The salary gap between Milwaukee and Waukesha is $583 (1.26%). Waukesha's median is +3.39% 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,Waukesha spans $37,816. Waukesha 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
Waukesha
P10 (Entry)$34,816
P25$40,238
Median$46,860
P75$58,807
P90 (Top)$72,632

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Waukesha ($50,171 effective) pays 5.09% more than Milwaukee ($47,739 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $46,277
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $47,739
Waukesha
Nominal: $46,860
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $50,171

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Larger job market (1,310 employed)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Waukesha if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,860/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($72,632)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,171)
  • 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 11.1% growth in Waukesha over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+16.1%

$38,910 (2021) → $45,188 (2025)

Waukesha, WI

+11.1%

$41,198 (2024) → $45,757 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dialysis technicians more: Milwaukee or Waukesha?

Waukesha has a higher median dialysis technician salary at $46,860/year, compared to Milwaukee at $46,277/year — a difference of $583 (1.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and Waukesha?

Milwaukee dialysis technicians earn $22.25/hr while Waukesha hygienists earn $22.53/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and Waukesha. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $47,739, Waukesha = $50,171), job availability (1,310 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dialysis technicians earn $41,401 in Milwaukee and $34,816 in Waukesha. 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