Employment in Wisconsin
Wisconsin's major industries include healthcare, manufacturing, and digital technology, which coincide with many of the top-paying careers in the state.
Major cities like Madison host large technology employers, but Wisconsin also offers regional career pathways in more rural areas. Resources like the Wisconomy website and the skill explorer, both provided by the Department of Workforce Development, allow students to make informed choices about their employment options.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), unemployment numbers in Wisconsin are on the decline. In December 2020, unemployment in Wisconsin was 4% — significantly lower than August 2020's 6% rate.
As employment opportunities expand, individuals can also benefit from the lower-than-average cost of living in Wisconsin. Wisconsin's cost of living index is just 90.9, as compared to the national standard of 100. The state's lowest cost of living expenses relative to the national average include housing and transportation.
The following data details the highest-paying roles employing more than 5,000 individuals in Wisconsin. Salary information applies specifically to Wisconsin, while job growth data pertains to the United States as a whole.
Highest-Paying Careers in Wisconsin
| Career |
Annual Mean Salary (2019) |
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029) |
Education Required |
| Physicians |
$246,060 |
4% |
Doctoral degree |
| Chief Executives |
$159,500 |
4% |
Bachelor's degree |
| Sales Managers |
$139,230 |
4% |
Bachelor's degree |
| Financial Managers |
$138,420 |
15% |
Bachelor's degree |
| Pharmacists |
$134,090 |
-3% |
Doctoral degree |
| General and Operations Managers |
$131,220 |
6% |
Bachelor's degree |
| Lawyers |
$129,440 |
4% |
Doctoral degree |
Source:BLS
The following data reflects the highest-paying roles employing more than 10,000 professionals in Wisconsin. Salary figures apply specifically to Wisconsin, while job growth data refers to the United States.
Most Common. Highest-Paying Careers in Wisconsin
| Career |
Annual Mean Salary (2019) |
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029) |
Education Required |
| General and Operations Managers |
$131,220 |
6% |
Bachelor's Degree |
| Software Developers |
$92,560 |
22% |
Bachelor's Degree |
| Management Analysts |
$88,500 |
11% |
Bachelor's Degree |
| Computer Systems Analysts |
$84,340 |
7% |
Bachelor's Degree |
| Mechanical Engineers |
$80,650 |
4% |
Bachelor's Degree |
Source:BLS
Wisconsin Online Schooling: Associate and Graduate Degrees
Online colleges in Wisconsin offer undergraduate and graduate degrees that mirror their on-campus counterparts. For example, University of Wisconsin (UW) offers an associate of arts and sciences degree as both a traditional program and a flexible online option.
Through one of the technical colleges in Wisconsin, students can earn an online associate degree in accounting, early childhood education, and marketing. These programs lead to careers as accounting assistants, teaching aids, and marketing associates. Meanwhile, online associate of arts and sciences degrees build foundational knowledge for students aiming to enter the workforce or continue to bachelor's programs.
Online graduate degrees offered through Wisconsin's extension program unite institutions throughout the state, offering pathways in fields like study management, healthcare, and information technology. These lead to careers in business administration, healthcare management, and cybersecurity.
The UW online system provides online graduate degrees in nearly 60 disciplines. For example, students can pursue online master's degrees in business administration from three UW institutions, or they can earn online education and engineering master's degrees from six UW schools.
