SOC 21-1029 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Social Workers, All Other — Wisconsin
Wisconsin · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Wisconsin is $62,830 a year, trailing the national median of $71,900 by 12.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Wisconsin is $62,830 a year, trailing the national median of $71,900 by 12.6%. Half of workers earn between $51,760 and $82,600. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $45,720 and the ninetieth at $98,840.
The area has 1,860 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.56 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 50 states with published data for this occupation, Wisconsin ranks 39th by median wage. Madison leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $81,890. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 323rd of 728 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,720 | −36.4% |
| 25th | $51,760 | −28.0% |
| Median (50th) | $62,830 | −12.6% |
| 75th | $82,600 | +14.9% |
| 90th | $98,840 | +37.5% |
| Mean | $68,600 | −4.6% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madison | $81,890 | 370 | |
| 2 | Kenosha | $65,740 | 70 | |
| 3 | Milwaukee | $63,040 | 520 | |
| 4 | La Crosse | $61,730 | 40 | |
| 5 | Green Bay | $61,130 | 120 | |
| 6 | Eau Claire | $61,080 | 50 | |
| 7 | Appleton | $60,400 | 60 | |
| 8 | Racine | $58,870 | 80 | |
| 9 | Oshkosh | $58,180 | 40 | |
| 10 | Janesville | $52,000 | 30 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Wisconsin run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $62,830 goes as far as $66,769 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 7.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$62,830as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$66,769US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $62,830 a year, 12.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $45,720 to $98,840 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,860 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 39th of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Madison, at $81,890.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Social Workers, All Other in Wisconsin?
The median annual wage is $62,830, or $30.21 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 $71,900, so pay in Wisconsin is 12.6% lower. 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 Wisconsin earns more than $98,840 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $45,720 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 Madison, at $81,890 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,860 jobs in this occupation in Wisconsin. 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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