Accountant and Auditor Salary in Appleton, WI
Accountants and Auditors in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median $80,360 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $62,485 take-home, or $5,207 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median accountant and auditor salary in Appleton, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,849
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,982
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,165
- Wisconsin income tax$2,879
- Take-home pay$62,485
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.30% state
Accountant and Auditor pay by experience in Appleton, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,490 | $28.12 | $47,384 | $3,949 |
| 25th percentile | $66,060 | $31.76 | $53,134 | $4,428 |
| Median (50th) | $80,360 | $38.63 | $62,485 | $5,207 |
| 75th percentile | $101,030 | $48.57 | $75,931 | $6,328 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,740 | $62.86 | $95,078 | $7,923 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $80,360 buys in Appleton, WI
Prices in Appleton, WI are 7.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 29% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median accountant and auditor's $62,485 take-home pay has the buying power of $67,610 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Accountant and Auditor jobs are about as common in Appleton, WI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.88).
Best-paying cities for accountants and auditors, adjusted for cost of living
Appleton, WI ranks #65 of 281 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parkersburg, WV | $100,420 | $75,570 | $86,796 |
| 2 | Midland, TX | $100,890 | $79,806 | $83,320 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $121,700 | $85,775 | $77,679 |
| 4 | Midland, MI | $91,790 | $69,754 | $75,885 |
| 5 | Kennewick, WA | $93,280 | $74,452 | $74,394 |
| 6 | Barnstable Town, MA | $96,110 | $71,858 | $73,063 |
| 7 | Charlotte, NC | $92,910 | $70,994 | $72,928 |
| 8 | Olympia, WA | $94,470 | $75,290 | $72,624 |
| 65 | Appleton, WI | $80,360 | $62,485 | $67,610 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 281 metros →
Accountant and Auditor salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- Wausau, WI — $77,680
- La Crosse, WI — $76,680
- Oshkosh, WI — $77,580
- Green Bay, WI — $77,720
- Madison, WI — $81,130
- Eau Claire, WI — $76,380
- Janesville, WI — $77,100
- Milwaukee, WI — $80,290
Frequently asked questions
How much does a accountant and auditor make in Appleton, WI?
The median accountant and auditor salary in the Appleton, WI metro area is $80,360 a year, or about $38.63 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $66,060 and $101,030.
What is a accountant and auditor’s take-home pay in Appleton, WI?
On the median $80,360 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $62,485 a year ($5,207 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,879 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Appleton, WI a good place to work as a accountant and auditor?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $83,680. Local prices are 7.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $67,610 would in a typical U.S. city. Appleton, WI ranks #65 of 281 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a accountant and auditor afford rent in Appleton, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Appleton, WI is $960 a month ($1,236 for two bedrooms) — 18% of a median accountant and auditor’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Appleton, WI
- Project Management Specialist — $98,290
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $65,110
- Human Resources Specialist — $63,650