ocity
💰 COL Index: 94 — Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Appleton, WI

Modeled occupation planning estimates with gross-pay and cost-context formulas.

Model generated 2026-02-26 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 40 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$68,126
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$72,784
model average ÷ 93.6 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Marketing Manager
$154,593
City 1BR Rent Reference
$772
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for Appleton?

$68,126 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$68,126/year
Gross monthly equivalent$5,677/month
Household income context$73,449

Keep the measures separate: gross monthly salary is before taxes and deductions; household income can include multiple earners; the selected-role model average is not weighted by local employment.

🏆 Highest Modeled Values in This 40-Role Set

Ranked by modeled annual occupation median. These are planning estimates, not direct local OEWS rows.

🥇 -2% vs national

Marketing Manager

$154,593
💡 Purchasing-power model $165,163
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $74.32/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 -2% vs national

Pharmacist

$133,418
💡 Purchasing-power model $142,541
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $64.14/hr
National projected growth -3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 -2% vs national

Software Developer

$124,816
💡 Purchasing-power model $133,350
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $60.01/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ -2% vs national

Construction Manager

$106,132
💡 Purchasing-power model $113,389
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $51.02/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ -2% vs national

Project Manager

$99,335
💡 Purchasing-power model $106,127
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $47.76/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 40 Occupations in Appleton

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (93.6/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is below 100.

Showing all 40 occupations.

#
1 Marketing Manager $154,593
2 Pharmacist $133,418
3 Software Developer $124,816
4 Construction Manager $106,132
5 Project Manager $99,335
6 Physical Therapist $97,795
7 Financial Analyst $97,109
8 Web Developer $90,969
9 Dental Hygienist $85,849
10 Accountant $84,427
11 Registered Nurse $84,417
12 Data Analyst $81,759
13 Police Officer $73,471
14 Human Resources Specialist $66,351
15 Elementary School Teacher $62,447
16 Plumber $62,133
17 Paralegal $61,545
18 Electrician $60,368
19 Real Estate Agent $60,299
20 Graphic Designer $60,162
21 Firefighter $56,023
22 Carpenter $55,827
23 HVAC Technician $54,601
24 Heavy Truck Driver $52,070
25 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $49,039
26 Personal Trainer $49,039
27 Cosmetologist $49,039
28 Nail Technician $49,039
29 Insurance Agent $49,039
30 Loan Officer $49,039
31 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $49,039
32 Pharmacy Technician $49,039
33 Dental Assistant $49,039
34 Veterinary Technician $49,039
35 Auto Mechanic $49,039
36 Social Worker $49,039
37 Chef/Head Cook $49,039
38 Welder $48,637
39 Medical Assistant $37,535
40 Security Guard $35,446

OCity planning estimates. National occupation references are inputs; displayed city values are modeled rather than direct local BLS occupation rows.

Appleton salary model: formulas, sources and limitations

Stored occupation model comparison

modeled estimate ÷ stored national reference = row comparison

On this owner, estimate-to-reference ratios are 0.613×–1.470× across occupations. Ratios can vary by occupation, so this is not described as one citywide multiplier or a direct local OEWS download.

Purchasing-power equivalent

modeled estimate ÷ 93.6 × 100

This comparison does not estimate taxes or take-home pay and is not an official BLS adjustment.

Limitations. “Average” is unweighted across selected occupations. Growth fields are national occupation projections, not local forecasts. City and metro geographies can differ. Repeated stored employment counts are not presented as local jobs.
BLS OEWS methodologyBLS national projectionsCensus/ACS income context

Model generated 2026-02-26; methodology reviewed July 16, 2026.

🏙️ Living Costs in Appleton

🏠
1BR Rent
$772/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$983/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$277,000
📉
Unemployment
2.9%
💳
Median Income
$73,449
🎓
College Educated
36%
🚶
Walk Score
35/100
📊
Cost of Living
94
Below Avg Cost
📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your Appleton Budget

Use scenario tools to compare gross pay and city cost context. Results depend on the inputs and do not guarantee take-home pay, housing approval or affordability.

💰 Decode a Job Offer 🔄 Salary Equivalence Calculator 🔍 Career Arbitrage Tool

❓ Appleton Salary FAQ

What does the average salary in Appleton mean on this page?

▼
$68,126 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all Appleton workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in Appleton?

▼
The selected-occupation model average equals about $5,677 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in Appleton?

▼
There is no universal threshold. Household size, current housing quotes, taxes, debt, benefits, transportation and other recurring costs determine fit. The figures here are planning references, not affordability guarantees.

Are these direct local BLS salary observations for Appleton?

▼
No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is 0.613×–1.470× across occupations; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for Appleton

Use the occupation rows to compare modeled gross-pay references, not to predict an offer. Validate the exact role, experience level, employer, benefits and location. Then model taxes and current household costs before making a relocation or career decision.

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Explore Appleton Further

🏙️ Appleton City Overview 💰 Cost of Living 🏠 Real Estate 📊 Browse Salaries by City 💼 All Career Guides 🏘️ Neighborhood Guide 🔍 Career Arbitrage