Accountant Salary in Wisconsin: $81,655 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Wisconsin's 46 metropolitan areas, the average median accountant pay sits at $81,655/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 13-2011. Because Wisconsin sits at BEA RPP 93.4 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $87,425 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Waukesha ($81,302), Madison ($81,130), Appleton ($80,360).
In Wisconsin, the average median salary for accountants in 2026 is projected to be $81,655, which is 4.9% lower than the national median of $85,864. The highest-paying city for accountants in the state is Waukesha, where the average salary is $83,424, while Wisconsin Rapids offers the lowest average salary at $73,082. This $10,342 disparity can be attributed to various factors, including demand for accounting services, the concentration of businesses in urban areas, and the local cost of living. Wisconsin requires accountants to obtain a CPA license, which mandates meeting certain education and experience criteria, potentially impacting salary levels due to the investment in qualifications. Demand for accountants is expected to grow at an annual rate of 2.61%, providing a positive outlook for job seekers in this field. Notable cities for growth in accounting job opportunities include Madison at $83,247, Appleton at $82,457, Sheboygan at $82,427, and Milwaukee at $82,386, indicating a healthy job market across the state. For those pursuing a career in accounting, Wisconsin's projected figures reflect both challenges and opportunities within the profession.
Wisconsin Accountant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Wisconsin: $50,285 (lowest entry-level) to $138,944 (highest top earner)
Wisconsin vs National Average
Wisconsin accountants earn 4.9% less than the national median ($-4,209/year difference).
Wisconsin Accountant Salary Distribution (2026)
Accountant salaries in Wisconsin range from $60,482 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $130,843 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $81,655. The Wisconsin median is $4,209 below the US national median of $85,864. The average hourly rate is $39.26/hr. Approximately 19,969 accountants are employed across 46 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$65,820
2025 BLS Actual
$79,578
2026 Current Est.
$81,655
2019–2027 Growth
+27.3%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Wisconsin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,820 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,089 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,954 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,084 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,301 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,068 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,578 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,655 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,786 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wisconsin metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 20.9% from $65,820 (2019) to $79,578 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,786 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,966 (27.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.61% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
Lowest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin Rapids | $73,082 |
| Middleton | $73,693 |
| Platteville | $74,485 |
| Mequon | $74,491 |
| River Falls | $75,107 |
Best Value Cities for Accountants in Wisconsin
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Wisconsin cities offer the most purchasing power for accountants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waukesha | $83,424 | 93.4 | $89,319 |
| Appleton | $82,457 | 92.419 | $89,221 |
| Sheboygan | $82,427 | 94.014 | $87,675 |
| Fond du Lac | $78,866 | 91.643 | $86,058 |
| Wausau | $79,707 | 92.651 | $86,029 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Wisconsin
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $60,482 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $81,655 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $130,843 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Wisconsin metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 46 Cities in Wisconsin
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waukesha | $83,424 |
| 2 | Madison | $83,247 |
| 3 | Appleton | $82,457 |
| 4 | Sheboygan | $82,427 |
| 5 | Milwaukee | $82,386 |
| 6 | Kenosha | $80,898 |
| 7 | West Allis | $79,772 |
| 8 | Green Bay | $79,748 |
| 9 | Onalaska | $79,736 |
| 10 | Wausau | $79,707 |
| 11 | Oshkosh | $79,605 |
| 12 | Racine | $79,543 |
| 13 | Mount Pleasant | $79,425 |
| 14 | Beloit | $79,293 |
| 15 | Fitchburg | $79,243 |
| 16 | Greenfield | $79,236 |
| 17 | Janesville | $79,112 |
| 18 | Fond du Lac | $78,866 |
| 19 | La Crosse | $78,681 |
| 20 | Menomonee Falls | $78,550 |
| 21 | Eau Claire | $78,374 |
| 22 | Brookfield | $78,364 |
| 23 | West Bend | $78,321 |
| 24 | De Pere | $78,260 |
| 25 | New Berlin | $78,111 |
| 26 | Sun Prairie | $77,449 |
| 27 | Caledonia | $77,239 |
| 28 | Muskego | $77,071 |
| 29 | Stevens Point | $76,713 |
| 30 | Franklin | $76,626 |
| 31 | Oak Creek | $76,385 |
| 32 | Superior | $76,268 |
| 33 | Manitowoc | $76,231 |
| 34 | Pewaukee | $75,947 |
| 35 | South Milwaukee | $75,725 |
| 36 | Pleasant Prairie | $75,713 |
| 37 | Menomonie | $75,635 |
| 38 | Whitewater | $75,630 |
| 39 | Wauwatosa | $75,563 |
| 40 | Germantown | $75,510 |
| 41 | Marshfield | $75,480 |
| 42 | River Falls | $75,107 |
| 43 | Mequon | $74,491 |
| 44 | Platteville | $74,485 |
| 45 | Middleton | $73,693 |
| 46 | Wisconsin Rapids | $73,082 |
More Wisconsin Salary Data
Explore More Accountant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in Wisconsin in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for accountants in Wisconsin?
How does Wisconsin accountant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level accountant salary in Wisconsin?
How many accountants are employed in Wisconsin?
Which Wisconsin city offers the best value for accountants?
Written by Sofia Patel, CPA
Career Analyst
Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 accountant compensation across Wisconsin. State averages are employment-weighted across 46 metro areas — larger metro areas with more accountantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.61%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for accountants (SOC 13-2011).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov