Accountants and Auditors in Wisconsin. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
The median wage for Accountants and Auditors in Wisconsin was $78,150 in 2024, about 7.4% below the US median of $84,407. That gap is real, but it does not tell the whole story.
Wisconsin's cost of living sits roughly 7.3% below the national average. After accounting for what the money actually buys, the in-state median lands close to $84,300 in national-baseline dollars. The purchasing gap nearly disappears.
The spread between low and high earners is worth noting. The 10th percentile came in at $56,360 and the 90th at $126,180. Top earners make about 2.2 times what those at the bottom do. That range reflects how much experience, specialization, and job type vary across the field. An entry-level staff accountant at a small regional firm sits at one end; a senior auditor at a large Milwaukee-area company or a CPA running a practice sits at the other.
BLS projects employment in this occupation to grow 4.6% from 2024 to 2034, an average rate. With roughly 25,060 positions in the state, Wisconsin has a meaningful base of accounting work spread across manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and government. None of those sectors are going away, which keeps the pipeline of openings steady even without outsized growth.
Salary distribution
Where Wisconsin accountants and auditors fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $65,000 and $100,800, with a median of $79,400.
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Accountants and Auditors pay by experience level in Wisconsin
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Accountants and Auditors specialties in Wisconsin
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 16 certified offers. The most common variant is Accountant at a median of $65,000.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accountant | Wegner CPAs, LLC. | 9 | $65,000 |
| Accountants and Auditors - KBGFJG185872-7 | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | 7 | $92,379 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Wisconsin over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.7 / 5
Economics and Accounting
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 3.9 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 3.9 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 3.9 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Mathematical Reasoning
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Prepare detailed reports on audit findings.
- 02
Report to management about asset utilization and audit results, and recommend changes in operations and financial activities.
- 03
Collect and analyze data to detect deficient controls, duplicated effort, extravagance, fraud, or non-compliance with laws, regulations, and management policies.
- 04
Supervise auditing of establishments, and determine scope of investigation required.
- 05
Inspect account books and accounting systems for efficiency, effectiveness, and use of accepted accounting procedures to record transactions.
- 06
Examine and evaluate financial and information systems, recommending controls to ensure system reliability and data integrity.
- 07
Confer with company officials about financial and regulatory matters.
- 08
Inspect cash on hand, notes receivable and payable, negotiable securities, and canceled checks to confirm records are accurate.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.6%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for accountants and auditors in major Wisconsin metropolitan areas.
- Milwaukee$80,290
Compare Accountants and Auditors pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Wisconsin with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Accountants and Auditors in Wisconsin?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Accountants and Auditors in Wisconsin is $79,400.
- How does Wisconsin compare to the national median for Accountants and Auditors?
- The Wisconsin median is -8.1% versus the BLS national figure of $86,427.
- What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors in Wisconsin?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $58,340 and the 90th-percentile at $127,800, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Accountants and Auditors a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.6% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Accountants and Auditors?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.