Cost of Living in Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.

Salary comparison calculator

What would you need to earn in Milwaukee, WI to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?

Prices in Milwaukee, WI vs. the U.S. average

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.

Rent in Milwaukee, WI

HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.

Take-home pay in Milwaukee, WI

Highest-paying jobs in Milwaukee, WI

*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.

Frequently asked questions

All salaries in Milwaukee, WI

Management Occupations

• Computer and Information Systems Manager — $161,220
• Financial Manager — $156,100
• Sales Manager — $144,560
• Architectural and Engineering Manager — $143,570
• Human Resources Manager — $136,530
• Medical and Health Services Manager — $133,270
• Marketing Manager — $130,700
• Managers, All Other — $129,300
• Purchasing Manager — $127,950
• General and Operations Manager — $125,490
• Construction Manager — $119,170
• Administrative Services Manager — $116,990
• Facilities Manager — $103,620
• Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers — $100,430
• Social and Community Service Manager — $82,290
• Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers — $80,200
• Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare — $58,760

Business and Financial Operations Occupations

• Personal Financial Advisor — $125,810
• Insurance Underwriter — $106,570
• Labor Relations Specialist — $105,250
• Management Analyst — $102,900
• Project Management Specialist — $100,350
• Financial and Investment Analyst — $96,700
• Loan Officer — $83,660
• Compliance Officer — $81,540
• Accountant and Auditor — $80,290
• Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $79,770
• Logistician — $78,560
• Cost Estimator — $78,090
• Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists — $77,860
• Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $76,800
• Human Resources Specialist — $74,970
• Training and Development Specialist — $73,930
• Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $73,880
• Credit Analyst — $71,690
• Fundraiser — $66,080
• Financial Specialists, All Other — $62,510
• Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $59,170
• Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners — $56,090
• Tax Preparer — $50,430

Computer and Mathematical Occupations

• Computer Network Architect — $134,070
• Software Developer — $123,730
• Data Scientist — $104,710
• Computer Systems Analyst — $102,120
• Information Security Analyst — $101,550
• Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester — $97,390
• Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $90,140
• Computer Programmer — $85,280
• Computer Occupations, All Other — $83,120
• Operations Research Analyst — $74,850
• Computer User Support Specialist — $60,230

Architecture and Engineering Occupations

• Industrial Engineer — $100,020
• Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $99,680
• Electrical Engineer — $98,950
• Mechanical Engineer — $98,730
• Civil Engineer — $96,190
• Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician — $76,200
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $74,660
• Mechanical Drafter — $69,150
• Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician — $65,270
• Architectural and Civil Drafter — $61,960

Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations

• Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $87,450
• Psychologists, All Other — $80,200
• Chemist — $78,860

Community and Social Service Occupations

• Healthcare Social Worker — $69,180
• Social Workers, All Other — $63,040
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker — $62,770
• Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $61,960
• Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $60,790
• Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $59,180
• Rehabilitation Counselor — $47,390
• Social and Human Service Assistant — $46,650

Legal Occupations

• Lawyer — $131,100
• Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $60,340

Educational Instruction and Library Occupations

• Business Teachers, Postsecondary — $100,120
• Postsecondary Teachers, All Other — $96,500
• Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary — $84,700
• Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary — $83,370
• Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary — $82,340
• Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary — $79,550
• Instructional Coordinator — $79,490
• Special Education Teachers, Middle School — $76,660
• Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $75,370
• Education Teachers, Postsecondary — $74,790
• Librarian and Media Collections Specialist — $74,240
• Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $64,360
• Special Education Teachers, Secondary School — $63,190
• Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education — $62,940
• Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School — $62,110
• Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $61,480
• Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — $46,190
• Self-Enrichment Teacher — $41,960
• Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $38,060
• Library Technician — $37,860
• Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education — $36,240
• Tutor — $36,240
• Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary — $30,670

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

• Commercial and Industrial Designer — $80,590
• Public Relations Specialist — $65,520
• Interpreter and Translator — $64,700
• Producer and Director — $63,320
• Graphic Designer — $61,780
• Coach and Scout — $46,520
• Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer — $40,070

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations

• Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
• Emergency Medicine Physician — $239,200+
• Dentists, General — $155,940
• Pharmacist — $153,340
• Physician Assistant — $135,040
• Nurse Practitioner — $134,350
• Diagnostic Medical Sonographer — $105,490
• Physical Therapist — $103,030
• Dental Hygienist — $98,780
• Registered Nurse — $97,360
• Occupational Therapist — $94,020
• Respiratory Therapist — $89,040
• Speech-Language Pathologist — $88,190
• Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $80,180
• Surgical Technologist — $74,830
• Medical Records Specialist — $65,730
• Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $65,410
• Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $63,190
• Paramedic — $61,430
• Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other — $51,350
• Emergency Medical Technician — $48,880
• Veterinary Technologist and Technician — $47,770
• Pharmacy Technician — $47,300
• Psychiatric Technician — $38,560

Healthcare Support Occupations

• Physical Therapist Assistant — $65,630
• Massage Therapist — $56,350
• Medical Assistant — $49,590
• Medical Equipment Preparer — $47,800
• Dental Assistant — $47,140
• Phlebotomist — $47,000
• Healthcare Support Workers, All Other — $46,310
• Nursing Assistant — $45,690
• Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $37,770
• Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $37,020

Protective Service Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $105,680
• Detective and Criminal Investigator — $92,910
• Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $82,090
• First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $80,960
• Correctional Officer and Jailer — $63,910
• Firefighter — $49,760
• Security Guard — $37,870
• Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $29,060

Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations

• Chef and Head Cook — $61,580
• First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $40,080
• Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $38,980
• Cooks, Restaurant — $37,180
• Food Preparation Worker — $35,470
• Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $34,900
• Waiter and Waitress — $30,330
• Dishwasher — $29,170
• Cooks, Fast Food — $28,910
• Fast Food and Counter Worker — $28,440
• Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $28,010
• Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $27,310
• Bartender — $25,970

Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations

• First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers — $63,320
• Tree Trimmer and Pruner — $60,100
• First-Line Supervisor of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers — $50,590
• Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $44,440
• Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $36,620
• Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $36,280

Personal Care and Service Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $46,700
• Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $46,190
• Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $38,190
• Manicurist and Pedicurist — $36,170
• Recreation Worker — $35,950
• Childcare Worker — $33,280
• Animal Caretaker — $30,270
• Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $28,440
• Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $28,280

Sales and Related Occupations

• Sales Engineer — $119,950
• First-Line Supervisor of Non-Retail Sales Workers — $92,090
• Insurance Sales Agent — $81,080
• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $77,500
• Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $75,000
• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $73,880
• Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $64,890
• Real Estate Sales Agent — $60,530
• First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $50,390
• Parts Salesperson — $46,800
• Counter and Rental Clerk — $44,740
• Retail Salesperson — $34,410
• Cashier — $30,400

Office and Administrative Support Occupations

• Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $74,240
• First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $73,970
• Public Safety Telecommunicator — $62,130
• Postal Service Mail Carrier — $61,130
• Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk — $60,510
• Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $59,830
• Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $59,190
• Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators — $58,300
• Insurance Claim and Policy Processing Clerk — $53,980
• Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance — $51,860
• Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $50,920
• Bill and Account Collector — $50,360
• Loan Interviewer and Clerk — $49,060
• Billing and Posting Clerk — $48,680
• Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping — $48,630
• Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $48,560
• Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $48,480
• Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks — $47,900
• Customer Service Representative — $47,840
• Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other — $47,490
• Teller — $44,100
• Office Clerks, General — $44,040
• Receptionist and Information Clerk — $42,920
• Data Entry Keyer — $39,650
• Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service — $37,730
• Courier and Messenger — $36,560
• Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks — $36,160

Construction and Extraction Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $91,760
• Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $84,700
• Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $79,430
• Sheet Metal Worker — $78,840
• Electrician — $77,800
• Construction and Building Inspector — $77,220
• Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher — $74,730
• Carpenter — $63,910
• Highway Maintenance Worker — $60,660
• Roofer — $60,140
• Construction Laborer — $57,430
• Painters, Construction and Maintenance — $50,620

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

• Electrical Power-Line Installer and Repairer — $109,000
• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $85,200
• Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines — $75,960
• Aircraft Mechanic and Service Technician — $74,480
• Industrial Machinery Mechanic — $72,680
• Medical Equipment Repairer — $64,170
• Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $62,930
• Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist — $62,920
• Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $62,530
• Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers — $61,090
• Automotive Body and Related Repairer — $57,030
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $56,320
• Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other — $49,100
• Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers — $41,600

Production Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $75,660
• Tool and Die Maker — $68,120
• Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator — $66,980
• Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer — $66,860
• Machinist — $60,320
• Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — $59,390
• Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator — $57,780
• Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — $54,410
• Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender — $50,020
• Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — $49,480
• Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $49,180
• Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $49,080
• Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — $48,870
• Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $48,650
• Butcher and Meat Cutter — $47,780
• Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $47,750
• Printing Press Operator — $47,400
• Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers — $46,380
• Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender — $45,980
• Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $45,770
• Print Binding and Finishing Worker — $44,360
• Production Workers, All Other — $44,230
• Food Batchmaker — $43,410
• Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $43,390
• Helpers--Production Worker — $41,820
• Sewing Machine Operator — $38,600
• Baker — $37,580
• Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker — $36,310

Transportation and Material Moving Occupations

• First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $64,100
• Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity — $61,360
• Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $59,580
• Bus Drivers, School — $48,290
• Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $47,780
• Light Truck Driver — $45,790
• Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $44,840
• Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendant — $36,510
• Shuttle Driver and Chauffeur — $35,940
• Cleaner of Vehicles and Equipment — $35,080
• Packers and Packagers, Hand — $35,070
• Stocker and Order Filler — $34,470
• Parking Attendant — $30,470
• Driver/Sales Worker — $22,350

Other cities in Wisconsin

• Madison, WI
• Green Bay, WI
• Appleton, WI
• Oshkosh, WI
• Eau Claire, WI
• La Crosse, WI
• Racine, WI
• Kenosha, WI
• Janesville, WI
• Wausau, WI

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