Top Paying Jobs in Wisconsin
Wisconsin has 100 tracked occupation categories totaling 309,620 jobs. The highest-paying occupations include Cardiologists ($636,580), Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric ($572,060), Anesthesiologists ($443,990). The cost of living index is 94.33 (national average = 100). Median 2-bedroom rent is $1,202/month.
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State-level averages. Salaries, rent, and cost of living vary significantly between metros. For more accurate data, select a metro area from the list below or browse all metros.
$158K
Avg. median salary
94.33
Cost of living index
$1,202
Median 2BR rent
5,910,956
Population
Highest paying careers in Wisconsin
| Rank | Occupation | Category | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | Natural Sciences Managers | Management | $129K | $61.97/hr |
| 42 | Medical and Health Services Managers | Management | $128K | $61.69/hr |
| 43 | Compensation and Benefits Managers | Management | $128K | $61.5/hr |
| 44 | Lawyers | Legal | $127K | $60.94/hr |
| 45 | Purchasing Managers | Management | $125K | $60.09/hr |
| 46 | Education Administrators, Postsecondary | Management | $125K | $60.08/hr |
| 47 | Training and Development Managers | Management | $124K | $59.44/hr |
| 48 | Fundraising Managers | Management | $123K | $59.18/hr |
| 49 | Software Developers | Technology | $123K | $58.97/hr |
| 50 | Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers | Construction & Trades | $122K | $58.47/hr |
Affordability snapshot: Wisconsin
These are statewide averages. Costs vary widely between metros, click into a specific city for precise numbers.
Cost of living vs. national average-5.7% less expensive
2-bedroom apartment (FMR)$1,202/mo
Planning a move? Compare costs with other locations:
Metro areas in Wisconsin
Click a metro for detailed salary, rent, and cost-of-living data specific to that area.
Appleton
$1,236/mo rentRPP 92.4
Eau Claire$1,181/mo rentRPP 92.8
Fond du Lac$1,176/mo rentRPP 91.6
Green Bay$1,164/mo rentRPP 93.1
Janesville-Beloit$1,246/mo rentRPP 93.7
Kenosha$1,402/mo rentRPP 101.1
La Crosse-Onalaska$1,166/mo rentRPP 91.8
Madison$989/mo rentRPP 97.3
Milwaukee-Waukesha$1,183/mo rentRPP 96.9
Oshkosh-Neenah$1,149/mo rentRPP 92.9
Racine-Mount Pleasant$1,235/mo rentRPP 96
Sheboygan$1,116/mo rentRPP 94
Wausau$1,160/mo rentRPP 92.7
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Monthly budget breakdown with HUD and BLS data