What's the Average Salary in Wisconsin by Age? Here's Where You Stand

Wisconsin workers at different career stages earn significantly different amounts, and understanding where you fall in the earnings landscape can help you plan for the future. According to recent salary data, the average salary in Wisconsin by age reveals clear patterns: younger workers just starting their careers earn far less than those in their prime earning years, while retirement-age workers see their income decline again.

Wisconsin Salary Breakdown Across Age Groups

Based on 2024 salary data from research firm Scholaroo, here’s what Wisconsin workers typically earn at each life stage:

• Ages 15-24: $42,103 median income
• Ages 25-44: $83,689 median income
• Ages 45-64: $86,861 median income
• Ages 65+: $50,167 median income

The jump from early career to mid-career is striking. Young Wisconsin workers just entering the job market earn less than half what their counterparts in their prime earning years bring home. The good news? Your salary typically reaches its peak between ages 45 and 64, when workers average nearly $87,000 annually.

How Wisconsin Earnings Compare to the Nation

So where does Wisconsin rank nationally? The state performs solidly but falls short of the highest-earning regions. For context, here’s how Wisconsin stacks up:

States with Higher Average Salaries by Age:

Workers ages 25-44 earn significantly more in states like Massachusetts ($108,536), California ($100,620), and Connecticut ($97,380) compared to Wisconsin’s $83,689. For the 45-64 age group—typically peak earning years—workers in Maryland ($119,307), Massachusetts ($115,864), and New Jersey ($117,412) substantially outpace Wisconsin’s $86,861.

States with Lower Average Salaries:

On the flip side, Mississippi and West Virginia represent the nation’s lowest-earning regions across most age groups. Mississippi workers ages 25-44 earn just $58,641 annually, while West Virginia’s youngest workers (ages 15-24) earn only $27,380—barely more than half what Wisconsin’s young workers make.

Peak Earning Years and Career Progression

The age-based salary breakdown in Wisconsin tells an important story about career progression. Most workers see their biggest income bump between ages 24 and 44, with earnings nearly doubling. After that, salary growth slows but continues modestly through age 64.

For Wisconsin workers ages 45-64, the average salary of $86,861 represents the peak earning years. This is when most people have accumulated experience, specialized skills, and seniority in their roles. However, the transition into retirement (ages 65+) brings a sharp decline to $50,167, which typically reflects part-time work or smaller retirement income streams.

What Influences Wisconsin’s Salary Landscape

Wisconsin’s average salary by age is shaped by several factors. The state’s economy centers on manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and education—sectors that provide stable but moderate wages compared to tech-heavy states like California or finance-focused regions like New York.

Younger Wisconsin workers (15-24) earning $42,103 often include high school students in part-time roles, which pulls the average down. By contrast, the 25-44 age group represents fully employed professionals with specialized training, explaining the near-doubling of income.

Bottom Line: Making the Most of Your Wisconsin Salary

Understanding where you sit on Wisconsin’s salary scale by age helps you set realistic financial goals. If you’re in early career, expect significant earning growth ahead. If you’re in your peak earning years (45-64), this is the time to maximize retirement savings and investments while your average salary in Wisconsin by age reaches its highest point.

For those approaching retirement, the shift from $86,861 to $50,167 underscores the importance of planning ahead. Whether you’re just starting out or nearing the end of your career, knowing Wisconsin’s salary trends by age provides a roadmap for your financial future.

Data sourced from Scholaroo research conducted in May 2024.