SOC 43-3051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks — Milwaukee
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in Milwaukee, WI is $60,510 per year, close to the national median of $58,260 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in Milwaukee, WI is $60,510 per year, close to the national median of $58,260 for the same occupation. Pay ranges from under $43,720 at the tenth percentile to more than $76,630 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $52,090 to $67,640.
Employment stands at 690, or 0.8 jobs per thousand held locally. Oshkosh leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $64,690. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 330th of 593 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $43,720 | −25.0% |
| 25th | $52,090 | −10.6% |
| Median (50th) | $60,510 | +3.9% |
| 75th | $67,640 | +16.1% |
| 90th | $76,630 | +31.5% |
| Mean | $60,410 | +3.7% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oshkosh | $64,690 | 70 | |
| 2 | Madison | $63,500 | 360 | |
| 3 | Sheboygan | $62,400 | 50 | |
| 4 | Appleton | $60,240 | 100 | |
| 5 | Kenosha | $59,790 | 80 | |
| 6 | Wausau | $59,650 | 60 | |
| 7 | La Crosse | $59,460 | 80 | |
| 8 | Janesville | $58,500 | 70 | |
| 9 | Racine | $58,180 | 70 | |
| 10 | Eau Claire | $58,150 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Milwaukee run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $60,510 goes as far as $64,304 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$60,510as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$64,304US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $60,510 a year, 3.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $43,720 to $76,630 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 690 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Oshkosh, at $64,690.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in Milwaukee, WI?
The median annual wage is $60,510, or $29.09 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $58,260, so pay in Milwaukee, WI is 3.9% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Milwaukee, WI earns more than $76,630 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $43,720 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Oshkosh, at $64,690 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 690 jobs in this occupation in Milwaukee, WI. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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