Cost of living

Cost of living in Wisconsin: what jobs pay vs rent

Typical rent in Wisconsin is about $1,033/mo (population-weighted Census gross rent, utilities included). Here's how 300 common jobs' estimated take-home pay compares.

JobEst. take-homeRent share
Family Physician$15,548/mo7%
Nurse Anesthetist$15,426/mo7%
Chief Executive$13,443/mo8%
Dentist$11,105/mo9%
IT Manager$9,332/mo11%
Pharmacist$9,076/mo11%
Architectural and Engineering Manager$8,892/mo12%
Optometrist$8,881/mo12%
Sales Manager$8,718/mo12%
Financial Manager$8,673/mo12%
Marketing Manager$8,407/mo12%
Human Resources Manager$8,374/mo12%
Physician Assistant$8,358/mo12%
Nurse Practitioner$8,249/mo13%
Healthcare Manager$8,089/mo13%
Purchasing Manager$7,922/mo13%
Natural Sciences Manager$7,905/mo13%
Operations Manager$7,610/mo14%
Network Architect$7,290/mo14%
Industrial Production Manager$7,131/mo14%
Administrative Services Manager$7,095/mo15%
Construction Manager$7,051/mo15%
Actuary$6,945/mo15%
Public Relations Manager$6,929/mo15%
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$6,854/mo15%
Lawyer$6,828/mo15%
Facilities Manager$6,826/mo15%
Veterinarian$6,735/mo15%
Information Security Analyst$6,732/mo15%
Software Developer$6,673/mo15%
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairer$6,653/mo16%
Non-Retail Sales Worker$6,638/mo16%
Data Scientist$6,620/mo16%
Computer Hardware Engineer$6,520/mo16%
Sonographer$6,484/mo16%
Financial Advisor$6,478/mo16%
Management Consultant$6,476/mo16%
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager$6,393/mo16%
Electrical Engineer$6,362/mo16%
Physical Therapist$6,349/mo16%
Psychologist$6,310/mo16%
Police and Detective$6,223/mo17%
Web and Digital Interface Designer$5,968/mo17%
Database Administrator$5,949/mo17%
Systems Analyst$5,849/mo18%
Computer Programmer$5,801/mo18%
Financial Analyst$5,774/mo18%
Project Management Specialist$5,774/mo18%
Detectives and Criminal Investigator$5,769/mo18%
Architect$5,742/mo18%
Mechanical Engineer$5,603/mo18%
Network Administrator$5,600/mo18%
Financial Examiner$5,483/mo19%
Civil Engineer$5,444/mo19%
Registered Nurse$5,415/mo19%
Occupational Therapist$5,377/mo19%
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Tester$5,337/mo19%
Industrial Engineer$5,314/mo19%
Medical Scientist$5,257/mo20%
Instructional Coordinator$5,253/mo20%
Firefighting and Prevention Worker$5,233/mo20%
Speech Pathologist$5,222/mo20%
Respiratory Therapist$5,171/mo20%
Dental Hygienist$5,156/mo20%
Construction Supervisor$5,127/mo20%
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist$5,121/mo20%
Insurance Underwriter$5,098/mo20%
Operations Research Analyst$5,091/mo20%
Loan Officer$5,073/mo20%
Social and Community Service Manager$5,023/mo21%
Police Officer$5,008/mo21%
Plumber$4,983/mo21%
Accountant$4,973/mo21%
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Product$4,971/mo21%
Chiropractor$4,921/mo21%
Mechanics, Installers, and Repairer$4,915/mo21%
Labor Relations Specialist$4,880/mo21%
Electrician$4,853/mo21%
Medical Equipment Repairer$4,813/mo21%
Computer Network Support Specialist$4,804/mo22%
Chemist$4,763/mo22%
Radiologic Technologist$4,745/mo22%
Logistician$4,661/mo22%
Compliance Officer$4,544/mo23%
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$4,443/mo23%
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technician$4,437/mo23%
Cost Estimator$4,416/mo23%
Web Developer$4,359/mo24%
Dietitian$4,331/mo24%
Production and Operating Worker$4,323/mo24%
Equipment Operator$4,310/mo24%
Claims Adjuster$4,297/mo24%
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$4,290/mo24%
Construction and Building Inspector$4,272/mo24%
Credit Analyst$4,255/mo24%
Sales Representative$4,226/mo24%
Property Manager$4,225/mo24%
Buyers and Purchasing Agent$4,206/mo25%
HR Specialist$4,197/mo25%
Librarian$4,179/mo25%
Surgical Technologist$4,170/mo25%
Office and Administrative Support Worker$4,161/mo25%
Sheet Metal Worker$4,107/mo25%
High School Teacher$4,090/mo25%
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technician$4,072/mo25%
Training and Development Specialist$4,059/mo25%
Insurance Agent$4,057/mo25%
Food Service Manager$4,056/mo25%
Public Relations Specialist$4,054/mo25%
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistant$4,052/mo25%
Market Research Analyst$4,046/mo26%
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agent$4,042/mo26%
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$4,034/mo26%
Elementary School Teacher$4,033/mo26%
Industrial Machinery Mechanic$4,027/mo26%
Fundraiser$4,015/mo26%
Physical Therapist Assistant$4,012/mo26%
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technician$4,009/mo26%
Special Ed Teacher$3,988/mo26%
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialist$3,978/mo26%
Architectural and Civil Drafter$3,974/mo26%
Healthcare Social Worker$3,964/mo26%
Special Education Teachers, Middle School$3,960/mo26%
Correctional Officer$3,941/mo26%
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technician$3,930/mo26%
School Counselor$3,930/mo26%
Cement Masons and Concrete Finisher$3,910/mo26%
Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Worker$3,910/mo26%
Producers and Director$3,881/mo27%
Clergy$3,873/mo27%
HVAC Technician$3,869/mo27%
Diesel Mechanic$3,862/mo27%
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator$3,855/mo27%
Chef$3,845/mo27%
Carpenter$3,840/mo27%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer$3,838/mo27%
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairer$3,824/mo27%
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor$3,818/mo27%
Postal Service Clerk$3,767/mo27%
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installer$3,734/mo28%
IT Support Specialist$3,728/mo28%
Postal Service Mail Carrier$3,721/mo28%
Licensed Practical Nurse$3,715/mo28%
Writer$3,697/mo28%
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technician$3,671/mo28%
Interior Designer$3,670/mo28%
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector$3,664/mo28%
Advertising Sales Agent$3,647/mo28%
Editor$3,637/mo28%
Massage Therapist$3,637/mo28%
Truck Driver$3,619/mo29%
Security Worker$3,589/mo29%
Paramedic$3,587/mo29%
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operator$3,520/mo29%
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$3,487/mo30%
Graphic Designer$3,478/mo30%
Paralegals and Legal Assistant$3,448/mo30%
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$3,426/mo30%
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialist$3,424/mo30%
Social Worker$3,381/mo31%
Medical Records Specialist$3,372/mo31%
Public Safety Telecommunicator$3,351/mo31%
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker$3,350/mo31%
Cargo and Freight Agent$3,340/mo31%
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk$3,318/mo31%
Highway Maintenance Worker$3,308/mo31%
Welder$3,289/mo31%
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerk$3,273/mo32%
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Program$3,227/mo32%
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$3,210/mo32%
Construction Laborer$3,206/mo32%
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planner$3,205/mo32%
Court, Municipal, and License Clerk$3,203/mo32%
Auto Mechanic$3,188/mo32%
Biological Technician$3,179/mo32%
Roofer$3,153/mo33%
Painter$3,143/mo33%
Ophthalmic Medical Technician$3,134/mo33%
Bus Drivers, School$3,123/mo33%
Real Estate Agent$3,123/mo33%
Maintenance Worker$3,115/mo33%
Automotive Body and Related Repairer$3,092/mo33%
Printing Press Operator$3,082/mo34%
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$3,078/mo34%
Machinist$3,068/mo34%
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weigher$3,066/mo34%
Retail Supervisor$3,066/mo34%
Tax Preparer$3,066/mo34%
Pest Control Worker$3,058/mo34%
Housekeeping and Janitorial Worker$3,054/mo34%
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$3,047/mo34%
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerk$3,034/mo34%
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$3,033/mo34%
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$3,025/mo34%
Loan Interviewers and Clerk$3,023/mo34%
Bookkeeper$3,014/mo34%
Medical Assistant$3,011/mo34%
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenter$2,996/mo34%
Billing and Posting Clerk$2,995/mo34%
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistant$2,992/mo35%
Dental Assistant$2,988/mo35%
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tender$2,968/mo35%
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator$2,967/mo35%
Bill and Account Collector$2,950/mo35%
Delivery Driver$2,924/mo35%
Medical Equipment Preparer$2,917/mo35%
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistant$2,909/mo36%
Food Batchmaker$2,907/mo36%
Firefighter$2,906/mo36%
Phlebotomist$2,899/mo36%
Personal Service Worker$2,886/mo36%
Admin Assistant$2,885/mo36%
Audio and Video Technician$2,871/mo36%
Veterinary Technologists and Technician$2,861/mo36%
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,821/mo37%
Customer Service Rep$2,805/mo37%
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerk$2,737/mo38%
Social and Human Service Assistant$2,725/mo38%
Fitness Trainer$2,703/mo38%
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$2,692/mo38%
Journalist$2,678/mo39%
File Clerk$2,653/mo39%
EMT$2,638/mo39%
Psychiatric Technician$2,620/mo39%
Parts Salesperson$2,616/mo39%
Order Clerk$2,610/mo40%
Nursing Assistant$2,601/mo40%
Office Clerk$2,595/mo40%
Sports Coach$2,586/mo40%
Counter and Rental Clerk$2,575/mo40%
Warehouse Worker$2,564/mo40%
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,561/mo40%
Pharmacy Technician$2,558/mo40%
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tender$2,529/mo41%
Butchers and Meat Cutter$2,526/mo41%
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairer$2,510/mo41%
Opticians, Dispensing$2,491/mo41%
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmer$2,490/mo41%
Food Service Supervisor$2,471/mo42%
Receptionist$2,465/mo42%
Landscaper$2,463/mo42%
Teller$2,460/mo42%
Rehabilitation Counselor$2,427/mo43%
Library Assistants, Clerical$2,389/mo43%
Self-Enrichment Teacher$2,381/mo43%
Security Guard$2,380/mo43%
Photographer$2,374/mo44%
Sewing Machine Operator$2,370/mo44%
Data Entry Keyer$2,360/mo44%
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$2,355/mo44%
Hairdresser$2,353/mo44%
Tire Repairers and Changer$2,340/mo44%
Slaughterers and Meat Packer$2,335/mo44%
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerk$2,332/mo44%
Restaurant Cook$2,332/mo44%
Teaching Assistant$2,317/mo45%
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmer$2,298/mo45%
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendant$2,290/mo45%
Packers and Packagers, Hand$2,276/mo45%
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretaker$2,274/mo45%
Preschool Teacher$2,267/mo46%
Stockers and Order Filler$2,260/mo46%
Residential Advisor$2,259/mo46%
Baker$2,255/mo46%
Crossing Guards and Flagger$2,254/mo46%
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$2,251/mo46%
Janitor$2,219/mo47%
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$2,213/mo47%
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker$2,187/mo47%
Couriers and Messenger$2,185/mo47%
Tutor$2,169/mo48%
Library Technician$2,113/mo49%
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaner$2,092/mo49%
Home Health Aide$2,068/mo50%
Retail Salesperson$2,049/mo50%
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$2,048/mo50%
Recreation Worker$2,008/mo51%
Manicurists and Pedicurist$1,997/mo52%
Skincare Specialist$1,996/mo52%
Parking Attendant$1,988/mo52%
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerk$1,975/mo52%
Food Preparation Worker$1,955/mo53%
School Bus Monitor$1,932/mo53%
Cashier$1,884/mo55%
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeur$1,882/mo55%
Cooks, Short Order$1,873/mo55%
Childcare Worker$1,863/mo55%
Animal Caretaker$1,858/mo56%
Cooks, Fast Food$1,856/mo56%
Telemarketer$1,838/mo56%
Server$1,826/mo57%
Fast Food and Counter Worker$1,811/mo57%
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker$1,763/mo59%
Dishwasher$1,708/mo60%
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$1,705/mo61%
Driver/Sales Worker$1,693/mo61%
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Taker$1,684/mo61%
Amusement and Recreation Attendant$1,587/mo65%
Bartender$1,473/mo70%
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helper$1,460/mo71%

Pay is BLS OEWS 2023 state median wages after a rough ~22% tax estimate — a ballpark, not a real paycheck. It doesn't include state taxes, insurance, transport, or the cost of moving.

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