Project Management Specialist Salary in Appleton, WI
Project Management Specialists in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median $98,290 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $74,148 take-home, or $6,179 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median project management specialist salary in Appleton, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,794
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,094
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,425
- Wisconsin income tax$3,829
- Take-home pay$74,148
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.30% state
Project Management Specialist pay by experience in Appleton, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,650 | $29.16 | $49,025 | $4,085 |
| 25th percentile | $74,750 | $35.94 | $58,835 | $4,903 |
| Median (50th) | $98,290 | $47.25 | $74,148 | $6,179 |
| 75th percentile | $121,350 | $58.34 | $89,149 | $7,429 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,860 | $62.91 | $95,154 | $7,929 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $98,290 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 project management specialist's $74,148 take-home pay has the buying power of $80,230 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Project Management Specialist jobs are about as common in Appleton, WI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.13).
Best-paying cities for project management specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Appleton, WI ranks #44 of 209 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peoria, IL | $123,730 | $89,856 | $98,492 |
| 2 | Kennewick, WA | $125,940 | $97,346 | $97,269 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $130,380 | $100,381 | $90,325 |
| 4 | Huntsville, AL | $112,130 | $82,372 | $88,503 |
| 5 | Beaumont, TX | $100,470 | $79,511 | $88,300 |
| 6 | Davenport, IA | $102,880 | $77,948 | $87,505 |
| 7 | Rochester, MN | $106,270 | $77,888 | $85,760 |
| 8 | Boulder, CO | $122,040 | $90,019 | $85,568 |
| 44 | Appleton, WI | $98,290 | $74,148 | $80,230 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 209 metros →
Project Management Specialist salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- La Crosse, WI — $94,990
- Eau Claire, WI — $95,840
- Milwaukee, WI — $100,350
- Oshkosh, WI — $94,030
- Madison, WI — $98,990
- Janesville, WI — $92,280
- Green Bay, WI — $89,210
Frequently asked questions
How much does a project management specialist make in Appleton, WI?
The median project management specialist salary in the Appleton, WI metro area is $98,290 a year, or about $47.25 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $74,750 and $121,350.
What is a project management specialist’s take-home pay in Appleton, WI?
On the median $98,290 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $74,148 a year ($6,179 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,829 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Appleton, WI a good place to work as a project management specialist?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $102,320. Local prices are 7.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $80,230 would in a typical U.S. city. Appleton, WI ranks #44 of 209 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a project management specialist 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) — 16% of a median project management specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Appleton, WI
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- Human Resources Specialist — $63,650