Project Manager in Oshkosh, WI

The Salary Picture: Where Oshkosh Stands

As a local, I can tell you that Oshkosh's Project Manager salary is a bit of a paradox: it's lower than the national average, but it goes a hell of a lot further here. You're looking at a median salary of $98,454/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.33/hour. That's about 3% below the national average of $101,280/year for the role. But don't let that gap fool you—this is a city where your paycheck has real power.

The job market here is stable but not explosive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data shows there are approximately 132 Project Manager jobs in the Oshkosh metro area. The 10-year job growth rate is 6%, which is modest but steady. It tells me this isn't a boomtown for this profession, but it's a reliable place to build a career, especially if you're in manufacturing, healthcare, or construction.

Here's a realistic breakdown of what you can expect to earn based on your experience level, using local data and industry standards for the region:

Experience Level	Typical Years	Oshkosh Salary Range (Annual)	Notes
Entry-Level	0-3 years	$68,000 - $82,000	Often starting in support roles or junior PM positions. Common in local manufacturing or construction firms.
Mid-Level	4-8 years	$85,000 - $110,000	This is the sweet spot. You're managing full projects, leading teams, and aligning with the median.
Senior-Level	9-15 years	$115,000 - $140,000	You're leading complex, multi-million dollar projects, likely in a director-track role.
Expert/Lead	15+ years	$145,000+	Typically a department head, program director, or executive. Often at the largest local employers.

When you compare Oshkosh to other Wisconsin cities, the picture becomes clearer. Milwaukee and Madison, with their larger corporate and tech scenes, command salaries that are 10-15% higher. However, their cost of living, especially housing, is significantly steeper. Green Bay is a closer competitor, with a very similar cost of living and salary range. Oshkosh's value proposition is its balance: a solid paycheck that doesn't get immediately swallowed by rent or a mortgage.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get down to brass tacks. A Project Manager earning the median $98,454/year can live very comfortably in Oshkosh. Here’s a realistic monthly budget breakdown, accounting for Wisconsin's state income tax (progressive, up to 7.65%) and a conservative 25% effective tax rate.

Monthly Budget for a Project Manager Earning $98,454/year:

• Gross Monthly Pay: $8,204.50
• Estimated Net Pay (after ~25% taxes): $6,153.38
• Rent (Average 1BR): -$779.00
• Utilities (Est.): -$150.00
• Groceries: -$400.00
• Car Payment/Insurance: -$400.00
• Gas: -$150.00
• Health Insurance (Employer Plan): -$300.00
• Retirement (10% 401k): -$820.45
• Discretionary Spending: $1,153.93

As you can see, you're left with over $1,100 for discretionary spending, savings beyond retirement, or paying down debt. That's a level of breathing room you'd be hard-pressed to find in a major metro.

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely. The average home price in Oshkosh is around $220,000. With a 20% down payment ($44,000), your mortgage (at current rates) would be roughly $1,200-$1,300/month—higher than rent, but manageable on this salary. The real barrier isn't income; it's the down payment. Many locals use a combination of savings and first-time homebuyer programs through Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA).

Where the Jobs Are: Oshkosh's Major Employers

Oshkosh's economy is built on a few key pillars: heavy manufacturing, healthcare, and education. Project Managers are critical in all three. Here’s where the jobs are, with insider details:

1. Oshkosh Corporation: The city's largest employer and the namesake. They design and build specialty trucks and military vehicles. They hire a ton of Project Managers for R&D, production line changes, and major contracts (like the JLTV for the U.S. Army). Insider Tip: Knowing PMP, Agile, or Scrum certifications is a huge plus here. Their hiring cycles often align with federal fiscal years.
2. Aurora Medical Center - Oshkosh: Part of the Advocate Aurora Health system. They're constantly expanding, building new clinics, and implementing new IT systems (like Epic). Project Managers here handle construction, IT rollouts, and process improvement. Hiring Trend: Strong and steady. Healthcare is recession-proof in this region.
3. University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh: A major public university with over 13,000 students. They employ PMs for facilities projects (new dorms, building renovations), IT infrastructure upgrades, and grant-funded research initiatives. Insider Tip: University jobs often have great benefits but a slower pace. It's a good fit if you value work-life balance.
4. Kimberly-Clark (Regional Operations): While their global HQ is in Neenah, their massive Oshkosh plant is a key facility. They need project managers for supply chain optimization, new product lines, and sustainability projects. Hiring Trend: Focus is on efficiency and automation projects.
5. J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.: A national leader in transportation and compliance safety solutions, headquartered right here. They are a major employer of project managers for software development, client implementations, and internal process projects. Insider Tip: This is a more tech-oriented PM role compared to heavy manufacturing. Great for PMs with a software or SaaS background.
6. Oshkosh Airport Operations (Wingspread): A growing aerospace and aviation testing and operations hub. They manage projects for aircraft testing, facility development, and client projects for companies like Gulfstream. Hiring Trend: Niche but growing, especially in project management for experimental and testing operations.

Getting Licensed in WI

Unlike some states, Wisconsin does not have a state-specific license required to work as a Project Manager. However, professional certifications are the currency of credibility.

• PMP (Project Management Professional): The gold standard, offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It's not state-mandated, but it's often required by major employers like Oshkosh Corp. and J.J. Keller for senior roles.
  • Cost: Exam fee is ~$555 for non-members, ~$405 for PMI members (includes membership fee). Add study materials ($50-$300) and potential training courses ($1,000-$2,000).
  • Process: Requires 35 contact hours of education (from a course) and thousands of hours leading projects. The exam is a 4-hour, 180-question test.
• State Licensing Board: The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) handles professional licenses. For Project Managers, you only need a license if you are performing work that falls under another licensed profession (e.g., as a Civil Engineer on public works). The DSPS website is your primary resource for any questions.
• Timeline: If you start from scratch (coursework to exam), plan for 4-6 months of dedicated study and application processing. Many local candidates take shorter, accelerated boot camps offered by UW-Oshkosh or the Fox Valley Technical College.

Best Neighborhoods for Project Managers

Your commute and lifestyle will vary dramatically by neighborhood. Here are the top picks for a PM:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Why It's a Fit for a PM
Downtown Oshkosh	Urban, walkable, vibrant nightlife. Short commute to J.J. Keller, Aurora, and UW-Oshkosh.	$850 - $1,100	Perfect for young professionals. You can walk to restaurants, festivals, and the waterfront. A car is helpful but not always necessary.
Southside	Residential, family-friendly, quiet. Easy access to Oshkosh Corp. (south campus) and major highways.	$750 - $950	Ideal for PMs working at the large industrial plants. More space for your money, safer feel, and lots of parks.
Northside/Alta Vista	Established, mature neighborhoods with classic homes. Close to Aurora Medical Center.	$700 - $900	Great for those looking to buy a home. Tree-lined streets, a strong sense of community, and a quick commute to the hospital.
Westside	Mix of older homes and new developments. Close to shopping centers and the Fox River Mall area.	$800 - $1,000	A practical choice. Good balance of amenities, space, and a relatively easy commute to most major employers.
University District	Student-heavy, with a mix of rentals and older homes. Close to UW-Oshkosh and the lakeshore.	$650 - $850	Budget-friendly and lively. Best for single PMs or those who don't mind a younger crowd. Can be noisy during the school year.

The Long Game: Career Growth in Oshkosh

Your career trajectory in Oshkosh won't be defined by explosive growth but by strategic specialization and internal advancement.

• Specialty Premiums:
  • IT/Software PMs: Working in SaaS (like J.J. Keller) or healthcare IT (Aurora) can command a 5-10% premium over the median, pushing you toward $105,000 - $110,000 at mid-career.
  • Construction/Facilities PMs: With the demand for new healthcare and university infrastructure, these PMs are also in high demand, often matching or slightly exceeding the median.
  • Agile/Scrum Masters: Certification in these methodologies is a growing differentiator, especially in product development roles at Oshkosh Corp.
• Advancement Paths: The classic path is from Project Manager -> Senior PM -> Program Manager -> Director of Project Management. With the 10-year job growth at 6%, there will be openings, but they'll be competitive. The key is to build a track record of successful projects at one of the major local employers. Insider Tip: Many local PMs make a "lateral" move to a different industry (e.g., from manufacturing to healthcare) to gain diverse experience and accelerate their career.
• 10-Year Outlook: The job market for PMs in Oshkosh will remain stable, driven by the consistent needs of its core industries. Automation and efficiency projects will be the biggest driver of new roles. The median salary is likely to keep pace with inflation, but to see significant jumps, you'll need to move into leadership or specialize in a high-demand niche.

The Verdict: Is Oshkosh Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Excellent Cost of Living: Your $98,454 salary provides a high quality of life.	Lower Ceiling: Salary growth can plateau compared to major metros.
Stable Job Market: Dominated by established, resilient industries (manufacturing, healthcare).	Limited Industry Diversity: Over-reliance on a few large employers can be risky.
Quality of Life: Access to lakes, parks, festivals (like EAA AirVenture), and a strong community feel.	Colder Winters: Harsh winters can be a deal-breaker for some.
Manageable Commutes: You're never more than a 20-minute drive from anywhere in the city.	Smaller Networking Pool: Fewer industry events and meetups than in Milwaukee or Madison.
Strong for Families: Great schools, safe neighborhoods, and affordable housing.	Fewer "Cutting-Edge" Tech Roles: You won't find a startup scene comparable to bigger cities.

Final Recommendation: Oshkosh is an outstanding choice for a Project Manager who values work-life balance, affordability, and stability over the highest possible salary. It's perfect for mid-career professionals looking to buy a home, raise a family, and enjoy a community-oriented lifestyle without a brutal commute. If you're a highly specialized, tech-focused PM chasing the absolute top of the market, you might look toward Madison or Milwaukee. But for most, Oshkosh offers a compelling and financially sensible career path.

FAQs

1. I'm moving from a big city. How will the culture shock be?
It will be noticeable, but manageable. Oshkosh is friendly and laid-back. The pace is slower, and professional circles are smaller. You'll know people from work, the gym, and your neighborhood bar. It's more like a large town than a small city. You'll trade anonymous convenience for community connection.

2. Do I need a car in Oshkosh?
Yes, unequivocally. Public transit (Oshkosh Transit) exists but is limited. Most employers are spread out, and while a commute from, say, Downtown to Oshkosh Corp. is only 10-15 minutes, you'll need a car for groceries, errands, and enjoying the surrounding lakes and parks.

3. How competitive is the job market for Project Managers?
It's competitive but not cutthroat. With only 132 jobs, openings aren't daily. However, the 6% growth indicates steady demand. The key is to be patient and targeted. Use local recruiters who specialize in manufacturing and healthcare, and leverage platforms like LinkedIn with a location filter. Tailor your resume to the specific industries here.

4. What's the best way to network as a new Project Manager in town?
Join the local PMI Chapter (PMI Wisconsin Chapter - Fox Valley Branch). They host regular events. Attend industry-specific meetups, often organized through the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce. Also, get involved in community organizations like the Oshkosh Area United Way or local recreational sports leagues—it's a surprisingly effective way to meet professionals in a non-competitive setting.

5. Is Oshkosh a good place to start my PM career?
It can be, for the right person. If you land a junior PM role at Oshkosh Corp. or Aurora, you'll get solid experience on large-scale projects. The cost of living is low, so you can build savings quickly. However, if your goal is to climb the corporate ladder as fast as possible in a dynamic, high-growth industry, you might face a slower path. It's a great place to build a strong foundation, not necessarily the fastest launchpad.