ocity
💰 COL Index: 96 — Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Waukesha, WI

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

Model generated 2026-02-26 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 39 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$69,365
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$72,633
model average ÷ 95.5 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Marketing Manager
$155,492
City 1BR Rent Reference
$979
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for Waukesha?

$69,365 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 39 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$69,365/year
Gross monthly equivalent$5,780/month
Household income context$81,480

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 39-Role Set

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

🥇 -1% vs national

Marketing Manager

$155,492
💡 Purchasing-power model $162,819
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $74.76/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 -1% vs national

Pharmacist

$134,193
💡 Purchasing-power model $140,516
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $64.52/hr
National projected growth -3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 -1% vs national

Software Developer

$125,541
💡 Purchasing-power model $131,457
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $60.36/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ -1% vs national

Construction Manager

$106,749
💡 Purchasing-power model $111,779
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $51.32/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ -1% vs national

Project Manager

$99,912
💡 Purchasing-power model $104,620
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $48.03/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 39 Occupations in Waukesha

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (95.5/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is below 100.

Showing all 39 occupations.

#
1 Marketing Manager $155,492
2 Pharmacist $134,193
3 Software Developer $125,541
4 Construction Manager $106,749
5 Project Manager $99,912
6 Physical Therapist $98,363
7 Financial Analyst $97,673
8 Web Developer $91,497
9 Dental Hygienist $86,348
10 Accountant $84,917
11 Registered Nurse $84,908
12 Data Analyst $82,234
13 Police Officer $73,898
14 Human Resources Specialist $66,736
15 Elementary School Teacher $62,810
16 Plumber $62,494
17 Paralegal $61,902
18 Electrician $60,719
19 Real Estate Agent $60,650
20 Graphic Designer $60,511
21 Firefighter $56,348
22 Carpenter $56,151
23 HVAC Technician $54,918
24 Heavy Truck Driver $52,373
25 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $49,325
26 Nail Technician $49,325
27 Cosmetologist $49,325
28 Chef/Head Cook $49,325
29 Personal Trainer $49,325
30 Auto Mechanic $49,325
31 Social Worker $49,325
32 Veterinary Technician $49,325
33 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $49,325
34 Pharmacy Technician $49,325
35 Dental Assistant $49,325
36 Loan Officer $49,325
37 Insurance Agent $49,325
38 Welder $48,920
39 Medical Assistant $37,753

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

Waukesha 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 0.617×–1.479× 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 ÷ 95.5 × 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 Waukesha

🏠
1BR Rent
$979/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$1,170/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$352,500
📉
Unemployment
2.9%
💳
Median Income
$81,480
🎓
College Educated
41%
🚶
Walk Score
35/100
📊
Cost of Living
96
Below Avg Cost
📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your Waukesha 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

❓ Waukesha Salary FAQ

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

▼
$69,365 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 39 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all Waukesha workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in Waukesha?

▼
The selected-occupation model average equals about $5,780 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in Waukesha?

▼
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 Waukesha?

▼
No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is 0.617×–1.479× across occupations; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for Waukesha

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.

Career Decisions

Make your salary work in Waukesha

salary

Is $60K a Good Salary in 2026? It Depends Where You Live

In some cities $60K makes you comfortable, in others you're barely scraping by — the data tells the full story

salary

Where Accountants Earn the Most After Cost of Living (2026)

Raw accountant salary is misleading — here's where the pay goes FURTHEST after rent and groceries

salary

10 Best Affordable Cities for Artists and Creatives (2026)

Where creative careers actually pay the rent — without the NYC or LA price tag

Career Guides →Cost of Living →Housing Market →Neighborhood Guide →

Explore Waukesha Further

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