Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
63 Highest Paying Jobs in Milwaukee, WI (2026)
The highest-paying job in Milwaukee, WI, Wisconsin is Obstetrician/Gynecologist with a median salary of $300,470 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data. Across all 63 tracked occupations the average median is $110,006, with 32 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. Milwaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (national average = 100), so a $110,006 nominal salary equals $112,943 in average-cost-metro buying power.
The 63 occupations below are ranked by median wage in Milwaukee, WI, WI, from BLS OEWS data. Milwaukee, WI's cost-of-living index runs 97.4 (national baseline = 100), which shapes the headline-wage interpretation. Top-paying occupations in any U.S. metro typically cluster around physicians, dentists, executives, tech specialists, and licensed professionals. The specific top of the list varies with local industry concentration: tech-heavy metros boost software-engineering ranks, finance-heavy metros boost banking ranks.
Each role on the ranking links to the per-role-and-city page with full percentile distribution (p10 to p90), employment count, and cost-adjusted wage. For workers comparing offers within Milwaukee, WI, the percentile data is the most decision-relevant.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Milwaukee, WI
Ranked by median (50th percentile) salary. The COL-Adjusted column rebases each nominal salary to Milwaukee, WI's cost-of-living index of 97.4 so you can compare buying power against an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $300,470 · 10th–90th $210,390–$406,710 · 170 jobs in metro
Obstetrician/Gynecologists in Milwaukee, WI earn $300,470 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $406,710.
Median $287,350 · 10th–90th $225,300–$385,260 · 390 jobs in metro
Family Medicine Physicians in Milwaukee, WI earn $287,350 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $385,260.
Median $276,470 · 10th–90th $204,660–$331,860 · 60 jobs in metro
Pediatricians in Milwaukee, WI earn $276,470 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $331,860.
Median $161,220 · 10th–90th $102,710–$230,000 · 2,520 jobs in metro
Computer and Information Systems Managers in Milwaukee, WI earn $161,220 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $230,000.
Median $156,100 · 10th–90th $92,060–$269,270 · 5,160 jobs in metro
Financial Managers in Milwaukee, WI earn $156,100 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $269,270.
Median $155,940 · 10th–90th $117,460–$283,800 · 830 jobs in metro
Dentists in Milwaukee, WI earn $155,940 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $283,800.
Median $153,340 · 10th–90th $120,600–$180,910 · 1,760 jobs in metro
Pharmacists in Milwaukee, WI earn $153,340 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $180,910.
Median $144,560 · 10th–90th $78,960–$229,400 · 3,240 jobs in metro
Sales Managers in Milwaukee, WI earn $144,560 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $229,400.
Median $136,530 · 10th–90th $96,770–$225,010 · 1,190 jobs in metro
Human Resources Managers in Milwaukee, WI earn $136,530 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $225,010.
Median $135,040 · 10th–90th $97,090–$169,360 · 1,220 jobs in metro
Physician Assistants in Milwaukee, WI earn $135,040 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $169,360.
Full Ranking (63 Occupations)
| Rank | Role | Category | Median | 10th–90th | COL-Adjusted | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Obstetrician/Gynecologist | Healthcare | $300,470 | $210,390–$406,710 | $308,491 | 170 |
| 2 | Family Medicine Physician | Healthcare | $287,350 | $225,300–$385,260 | $295,021 | 390 |
| 3 | Pediatrician | Healthcare | $276,470 | $204,660–$331,860 | $283,850 | 60 |
| 4 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $161,220 | $102,710–$230,000 | $165,524 | 2,520 |
| 5 | Financial Manager | Finance | $156,100 | $92,060–$269,270 | $160,267 | 5,160 |
| 6 | Dentist | Healthcare | $155,940 | $117,460–$283,800 | $160,103 | 830 |
| 7 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $153,340 | $120,600–$180,910 | $157,433 | 1,760 |
| 8 | Sales Manager | Management | $144,560 | $78,960–$229,400 | $148,419 | 3,240 |
| 9 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $136,530 | $96,770–$225,010 | $140,175 | 1,190 |
| 10 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $135,040 | $97,090–$169,360 | $138,645 | 1,220 |
| 11 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $134,350 | $109,350–$168,760 | $137,936 | 1,450 |
| 12 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $134,070 | $92,190–$169,890 | $137,649 | 790 |
| 13 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $133,270 | $95,170–$332,860 | $136,828 | 2,320 |
| 14 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $132,130 | $75,030–$207,050 | $135,657 | 210 |
| 15 | Lawyer | Legal | $131,100 | $78,970–$436,120 | $134,600 | 4,040 |
| 16 | Marketing Manager | Management | $130,700 | $81,980–$216,350 | $134,189 | 1,580 |
| 17 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $125,810 | $64,820–$390,270 | $129,168 | 2,150 |
| 18 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $125,490 | $61,420–$260,040 | $128,840 | 10,480 |
| 19 | Software Developer | Technology | $123,730 | $77,740–$164,660 | $127,033 | 6,170 |
| 20 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $117,780 | $80,210–$161,240 | $120,924 | 430 |
| 21 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $106,320 | $79,510–$147,600 | $109,158 | 180 |
| 22 | Audiologist | Healthcare | $105,800 | $66,900–$130,830 | $108,624 | 50 |
| 23 | Data Scientist | Technology | $104,710 | $78,790–$163,180 | $107,505 | 1,080 |
| 24 | Statistician | Technology | $103,260 | $71,710–$129,990 | $106,016 | 70 |
| 25 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $103,030 | $83,090–$125,170 | $105,780 | 1,710 |
| 26 | Management Analyst | Management | $102,900 | $68,290–$161,160 | $105,647 | 2,720 |
| 27 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $102,120 | $76,260–$132,270 | $104,846 | 2,680 |
| 28 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $101,550 | $62,260–$158,530 | $104,261 | 690 |
| 29 | Database Architect | Technology | $101,510 | $58,170–$157,080 | $104,220 | 310 |
| 30 | Web Developer | Technology | $100,710 | $61,050–$158,630 | $103,398 | 240 |
| 31 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $100,120 | $33,300–$183,250 | $102,793 | 690 |
| 32 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $100,020 | $75,600–$134,050 | $102,690 | 3,940 |
| 33 | Architect | Engineering | $99,680 | $66,710–$150,050 | $102,341 | 500 |
| 34 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $98,950 | $77,870–$132,990 | $101,591 | 1,380 |
| 35 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $98,780 | $52,500–$114,190 | $101,417 | 1,360 |
| 36 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $98,730 | $65,390–$132,600 | $101,366 | 2,200 |
| 37 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $97,390 | $61,430–$149,730 | $99,990 | 790 |
| 38 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $97,360 | $78,730–$119,490 | $99,959 | 22,400 |
| 39 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $96,700 | $63,880–$154,350 | $99,281 | 2,280 |
| 40 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $96,190 | $67,850–$131,040 | $98,758 | 2,330 |
| 41 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $94,020 | $75,820–$111,160 | $96,530 | 1,220 |
| 42 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $90,770 | $59,990–$160,330 | $93,193 | 230 |
| 43 | Network Architect | Technology | $90,140 | $54,790–$133,000 | $92,546 | 2,130 |
| 44 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $88,190 | $61,370–$112,010 | $90,544 | 1,000 |
| 45 | Computer Programmer | Technology | $85,280 | $56,910–$129,440 | $87,556 | 580 |
| 46 | Plumber | Trades | $84,700 | $56,520–$124,470 | $86,961 | 2,760 |
| 47 | Loan Officer | Finance | $83,660 | $49,400–$156,890 | $85,893 | 1,180 |
| 48 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $83,120 | $51,240–$162,680 | $85,339 | 1,260 |
| 49 | Accountant | Finance | $80,290 | $60,340–$132,150 | $82,433 | 7,960 |
| 50 | Electrician | Trades | $77,800 | $45,170–$103,850 | $79,877 | 4,490 |
| 51 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $75,370 | $47,250–$96,830 | $77,382 | 4,120 |
| 52 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $74,960 | $52,930–$98,530 | $76,961 | 240 |
| 53 | Operations Research Analyst | Technology | $74,850 | $52,000–$102,960 | $76,848 | 1,310 |
| 54 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $73,880 | $44,780–$131,240 | $75,852 | 4,610 |
| 55 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $65,520 | $46,160–$111,860 | $67,269 | 1,330 |
| 56 | Writer/Author | Creative | $63,910 | $49,650–$82,460 | $65,616 | 270 |
| 57 | Carpenter | Trades | $63,910 | $47,230–$94,180 | $65,616 | 3,310 |
| 58 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $63,190 | $46,600–$93,240 | $64,877 | 1,960 |
| 59 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $62,530 | $36,940–$89,240 | $64,199 | 3,170 |
| 60 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $61,780 | $44,160–$87,270 | $63,429 | 1,200 |
| 61 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $61,480 | $50,340–$97,430 | $63,121 | 6,620 |
| 62 | Paralegal | Legal | $60,340 | $47,130–$87,290 | $61,951 | 1,880 |
| 63 | Welder | Trades | $59,390 | $48,190–$72,370 | $60,975 | 3,400 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee, WI's pay distribution reflects its mix of regional employers and industries, plus the local cost of living that affects nominal salary levels in the BLS data.
An average median salary above $90K places this metro in the top tier of U.S. cities for nominal pay. Most of that premium accrues to the upper percentiles of skilled and managerial occupations; entry-level and service-sector pay is closer to national norms.
Milwaukee, WI's cost-of-living index of 97.4 runs 3% below the U.S. national average. Lower nominal pay here often translates to comparable or better purchasing power than higher headline numbers in coastal hubs — see the COL-Adjusted column for the apples-to-apples figure.
How to Use This Ranking
For salary negotiation, the median is a starting anchor — not the ceiling. A Obstetrician/Gynecologist with five-plus years of experience in Milwaukee, WI should be benchmarking against the 75th percentile ($353,590) or 90th percentile ($406,710), not the $300,470 median. Use the salary percentile calculator to place any specific salary into the BLS distribution for any role-and-city pair.
For cross-city comparisons, ignore the nominal Median column and look at COL-Adjusted. A $300K Obstetrician/Gynecologist salary in Milwaukee, WI (COL 97.4) translates to $308K of buying power in an average-cost metro — that is the apples-to-apples figure when weighing a relocation. Read the methodology behind these adjustments in our methodology page.
For job hunting, focus on the top-10 ranking above and on the role-by-role detail pages — each links through to a Obstetrician/Gynecologist in Milwaukee, WI page with full percentile breakdowns, year-over-year change, and prevailing-wage references for H-1B / PERM applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in Milwaukee, WI is Obstetrician/Gynecologist with a median salary of $300,470 and a 90th-percentile reading of $406,710. The role employs roughly 170 workers in this metro according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2025 OEWS data.
32 of the 63 BLS-tracked occupations in Milwaukee, WI have a median salary of $100,000 or higher. That is well above what most U.S. metros offer. See the full list ranked by median salary above.
Across 63 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in Milwaukee, WI is $110,006. The cost-of-living index is 97.4, so adjusted to a national-average baseline, the average is $112,943 in equivalent purchasing power.
Milwaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 97.4, below the national average. Nominal pay translates better than face value, making it a strong choice for many careers — particularly the Obstetrician/Gynecologist, Family Medicine Physician, Pediatrician occupations at the top of the ranking.
Every wage figure on this page is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program at bls.gov/oes — public domain federal survey data covering about 1.2 million U.S. employers across all industries. The OEWS publishes 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile wages by Metropolitan Statistical Area and Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. The same data is used by the Department of Labor for prevailing wage determinations.
Related Pages
Rankings based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025 reference period. COL adjustments use a composite cost-of-living index calibrated to U.S. average = 100.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2026.