The Data Analyst's Guide to Green Bay, Wisconsin

As a career analyst who’s spent years mapping the professional landscape of Green Bay, I can tell you this city is a hidden gem for data analysts. It’s not the bustling tech hub of Madison or Milwaukee, but that’s precisely its strength. The cost of living is low, the job market is stable, and the work-life balance is something people in bigger cities dream about. If you’re considering a move here, you’re not just looking at a job; you’re considering a lifestyle. Let’s break down exactly what that looks like.

The Salary Picture: Where Green Bay Stands

First, the numbers. You need to know what you’re worth in this market. For data analysts, Green Bay offers a competitive salary that goes a long way when paired with the city’s affordable cost of living.

Median Salary: $81,384/year
Hourly Rate: $39.13/hour

This median salary is slightly below the National Average of $83,360/year, which is expected for a smaller metro area. However, the real story is in the local purchasing power. With a Cost of Living Index of 92.1 (US avg = 100), that $81,384 feels more like $88,400 in a typical U.S. city.

Let’s look at how experience plays into this:

Experience Level	Typical Salary Range (Green Bay)	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$58,000 - $70,000	SQL querying, dashboard maintenance, data cleaning
Mid-Level (3-5 yrs)	$70,000 - $85,000	Building ETL pipelines, statistical modeling, stakeholder reporting
Senior-Level (6-9 yrs)	$85,000 - $98,000	Leading projects, mentoring juniors, advanced ML implementation
Expert/Lead (10+ yrs)	$98,000+	Strategic data governance, architecting data systems, C-suite advisory

How does Green Bay compare to other Wisconsin cities?

• Milwaukee: Salaries are 8-12% higher, but rent and costs are significantly steeper. The Milwaukee-Waukesha Metro has a much larger and more competitive job market.
• Madison: Home to the state government and major tech firms, Madison's data analyst salaries are closer to $87,000. However, the housing market is notoriously tight and expensive.
• Appleton: The Fox Cities metro (just west of Green Bay) is very similar in salary range and cost of living, offering a comparable, slightly more suburban alternative.

Insider Tip: The 36% 10-year job growth for data analysts in the Green Bay metro is a critical data point. This isn't a stagnant market. It's growing steadily, driven by the digitization of traditional industries like manufacturing and healthcare.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get practical. What does a $81,384 salary actually mean for your monthly budget? We'll use Wisconsin's 2024 tax brackets for a single filer with no dependents.

Your Monthly Take-Home Pay (Estimate):

• Gross Monthly: $6,782
• Estimated Taxes (Federal, FICA, State): ~$1,600
• Net Monthly Income: ~$5,182

Now, let’s layer in a realistic budget using Average 1BR Rent of $841/month.

Expense Category	Monthly Cost (Estimate)	Notes for Green Bay
Rent (1BR Apartment)	$841	Varies by neighborhood (see below)
Utilities	$150	Includes heat, electricity, internet
Groceries	$400	Comparable to Midwest average
Transportation	$350	Car payment, insurance, gas (public transit is limited)
Health Insurance	$300	Employer-sponsored plans vary
Dining/Entertainment	$400	Plenty of local breweries and restaurants
Savings/Retirement	$800	Recommended 15-20% of take-home
Miscellaneous/Buffer	$941	Covers everything else, from clothes to travel

Total Monthly Expenses: ~$4,182
Remaining Surplus: ~$1,000

Can they afford to buy a home?
Absolutely. The median home price in Green Bay is around $250,000. With a $1,000 monthly surplus for savings, a data analyst could comfortably save a 20% down payment ($50,000) in about 4-5 years. A 30-year mortgage on a $250,000 home at 6.5% interest would be roughly $1,580/month, which is less than 30% of your gross monthly income—a healthy and manageable ratio.

Where the Jobs Are: Green Bay's Major Employers

Green Bay's data analyst jobs are concentrated in a few key sectors: Healthcare, Manufacturing, Logistics, and Retail. Unlike tech-heavy cities, you're not just looking at startups. You're looking at legacy companies investing heavily in data.

Here are the major local employers actively hiring data analysts:

1. Bellin Health: One of the region's largest integrated healthcare systems. They need analysts for patient outcome data, operational efficiency, and financial reporting. They often have multiple postings on their career site.
2. Aurora BayCare Medical Center: Part of the Advocate Aurora Health system, a massive employer. Their needs are similar to Bellin's, with an added focus on clinical research data.
3. Schneider National: A Fortune 500 trucking and logistics giant headquartered in Green Bay. Their Data Science & Analytics team is core to their business, optimizing routes, fuel efficiency, and fleet maintenance. This is a prime target for tech-savvy analysts.
4. Packers Pro Shop / Green Bay Packers (Baird Center): The Packers are a massive economic engine. Their analytics team handles everything from ticket sales and fan engagement to retail operations at the Pro Shop and the new Titletown district.
5. Georgia-Pacific: The Green Bay area has a major paper mill and manufacturing plant. They rely on data analysts for supply chain optimization, quality control, and predictive maintenance.
6. Nicolet National Bank: A regional bank driving digital transformation. They need analysts for risk modeling, customer segmentation, and marketing campaign effectiveness.
7. Uline: The shipping supply behemoth has a massive distribution and corporate hub in nearby Pleasant Prairie (a short commute). They are known for data-driven operations and are a major local employer.

Hiring Trends: The Jobs in Metro: 211 figure indicates a healthy, consistent demand. Hiring is rarely explosive but steady. The best time to look is Q1 (budgets are new) and late Q3 (hiring for year-end projects). Local job boards like Bay Area Careers and company-specific pages are more effective than national boards for these employers.

Getting Licensed in WI

The good news: Wisconsin has no state-specific license for data analysts. The field is unlicensed, which lowers the barrier to entry. Your "license" is your portfolio, your certifications, and your experience.

However, for credibility and career advancement, consider these recognized credentials:

• Certifications: The Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) is a well-respected national credential. The Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate is a great entry-level option. For advanced roles, AWS or Azure Data Certifications are highly valued, especially by Schneider and Aurora.
• Professional Organizations: Join Wisconsin Analytics Association (if available) or national groups like INFORMS. Attending local meetups (often hosted at the KI Convention Center or tech cafés) is a prime networking opportunity.
• Timeline to Get Started: If you're already a practicing analyst, you can start applying immediately. To transition into the field, a 6-month to 1-year plan is realistic: complete an online certificate, build a portfolio with 2-3 public datasets (e.g., Brown County traffic data), and network at local events.

Insider Tip: Mentioning familiarity with Epic Systems (the healthcare software giant headquartered in Madison) is a huge plus for healthcare employers in Green Bay, even though it's not local. It shows you understand the regional tech ecosystem.

Best Neighborhoods for Data Analysts

Green Bay is a city of distinct neighborhoods, each with a different vibe. Your choice will depend on your commute tolerance and lifestyle.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Why It's Good for Analysts
Downtown / Broadway District	Urban, walkable, historic. 5-10 min commute to most offices.	$950 - $1,200	Proximity to the Fox River, Bay Beach, and vibrant nightlife. Ideal for young professionals who want to be in the action.
Astor Park / Northside	Quiet, residential, family-friendly. 10-15 min commute.	$750 - $900	Excellent value. Close to Bay Park Square mall and major highways. Perfect for those who prioritize space and quiet.
Allouez / Eastside	Suburban, safe, well-established. 10-15 min commute.	$800 - $1,000	Top-rated schools, easy access to Lambeau Field and Aurora BayCare. A top choice for analysts with families.
Titletown	Ultra-modern, mixed-use, premium. 5-10 min commute.	$1,300 - $1,600	The new "tech district." Walking distance to the Packers' headquarters, restaurants, and a public park. For those who want to be where the new growth is.
West Side / Howard	Quiet, affordable, slightly removed. 15-20 min commute.	$700 - $850	The best value for renters. A short drive to everything. Ideal for someone who works from home often and wants to maximize savings.

Insider Tip: Traffic in Green Bay is minimal. A 20-minute commute is considered long. Don't overpay for a "central" location; you can live affordably in Howard or Allouez and still be anywhere in the city quickly.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The career path for a data analyst in Green Bay is less about jumping to a new company every two years and more about deep specialization and internal advancement.

Specialty Premiums:

• Healthcare Analytics (Bellin, Aurora): High demand. Specializing in clinical or patient data can command a 5-10% premium over the median salary due to the complexity and regulatory environment.
• Supply Chain/Logistics (Schneider, Uline, Georgia-Pacific): This is Green Bay's sweet spot. Expertise in optimization, predictive maintenance, or IoT data can lead to high-impact roles and salaries at the $95,000+ range.
• Financial Analytics (Nicolet, Packers): Risk modeling and customer lifetime value analysis are key skills here.

Advancement Paths:

1. Technical Track: Data Analyst -> Senior Analyst -> Data Scientist -> Lead Data Scientist/Architect.
2. Management Track: Analyst -> Analytics Manager -> Director of Business Intelligence.
3. Business Track: Analyst -> Product Analyst -> Business Development Manager (using data to drive strategy).

10-Year Outlook (36% Growth):
This growth will be fueled by:

1. Manufacturing 4.0: Local plants (Georgia-Pacific, others) will increasingly need analysts to manage IoT sensor data from machinery.
2. Healthcare Data: As Bellin and Aurora expand their data capabilities for population health, demand for skilled analysts will rise.
3. Packers & Titletown: The ongoing development of the Titletown district will create new data needs in real estate, retail, and community engagement.

The key to long-term growth here is becoming the go-to expert in a specific domain for a major local employer. Loyalty is often rewarded with promotions in this market.

The Verdict: Is Green Bay Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Extremely Low Cost of Living: Your salary stretches further here than almost anywhere else in the U.S.	Limited Tech Community: Fewer meetups, conferences, and tech startups than in Madison or Milwaukee.
Stable, Growing Job Market: 36% 10-year growth shows this isn't a dying town. Major employers are invested in data.	Narrower Industry Options: Your primary sectors are healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics. Less variety than a major metro.
Unbeatable Work-Life Balance: Short commutes, easy access to nature (Lake Michigan, forests), and a relaxed pace of life.	Harsh Winters: Be prepared for 4-5 months of snow and cold, which can be a lifestyle adjustment.
Strong Community & Sports Culture: Green Bay is defined by the Packers. It's a tight-knit, passionate community.	Public Transit is Weak: A car is a near-necessity, adding to transportation costs.

Final Recommendation:
Green Bay is an ideal choice for data analysts who value stability, affordability, and quality of life over the frenetic pace of a major tech hub. It's perfect for:

• Early-career analysts who want to build savings quickly.
• Mid-career professionals looking to specialize in healthcare or supply chain data.
• Anyone who loves the outdoors, small-town community feel, and wants to own a home without a lifetime of debt.

If you crave constant networking events and the chance to work at a dozen different tech unicorns, look to Austin or Denver. But if you want a data analyst career with a high quality of life and a clear path to homeownership, Green Bay is a compelling, data-driven choice.

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FAQs

1. What's the interview process like for data analysts here?
It's typically a 2-3 round process. Expect a phone screen, a technical interview (live SQL or Python coding, often on a platform like HackerRank), and a final round with team members and hiring managers. Portfolio reviews are common, especially for mid-level roles.

2. Is it easy to find entry-level positions without a degree?
While a bachelor's degree (often in Business, Statistics, or Computer Science) is the standard requirement, a strong portfolio can compensate. Completing a rigorous bootcamp or certificate program (like the ones from Google or IBM on Coursera) and having 2-3 solid projects can get your foot in the door, especially at smaller firms.

3. How do I network effectively in a smaller market like Green Bay?
Forget large conferences. Focus on LinkedIn, local Chamber of Commerce events, and industry-specific meetups. Reach out to analysts at your target companies (Schneider, Bellin, etc.) for informational interviews. People in Green Bay are generally friendly and open to helping.

4. What are the biggest challenges for data analysts in Green Bay?
The biggest challenge is often access to cutting-edge tools. Some legacy companies may use older tech stacks (e.g., on-premise SQL Server instead of cloud-based Redshift). You'll need to be adaptable and sometimes advocate for newer, more efficient tools.

5. How does the seasonality of the Packers affect the job market?
It can create a slight seasonal dip in hiring around the holidays and a boost in the spring, as the organization's fiscal year aligns with the NFL calendar. However, most major employers (healthcare, manufacturing) operate year-round, so the impact on the broader data analyst job market is minimal.