Engineering · Milwaukee, WI

Electrical Engineer Salary in Milwaukee, WI (2026)

Median Electrical Engineer salary in Milwaukee is approximately $100,600/year — 6.0% below the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Milwaukee

$100,600
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$48
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$3,869
Monthly
$8,383
Annual (gross)
$100,600
vs Wisconsin state average
State avg: $99,500
+$1,100
vs US national
National median: $107,000
-$6,400

After-tax estimate

$73,790
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$100,600
Federal tax (~14%)
−$14,084
FICA (7.65%)
−$7,696
Wisconsin state tax
~5% effective
−$5,030
Estimated take-home
$73,790
Monthly take-home
$6,149
For exact take-home, use our Milwaukee Paycheck Calculator.
Electrical Engineer salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Milwaukee
Albuquerque, NM0.94×$100,600+$0
New Orleans, LA0.94×$100,600+$0
San Antonio, TX0.93×$99,500-$1,100
Grand Rapids, MI0.93×$99,500-$1,100
Pittsburgh, PA0.95×$101,700+$1,100

Electrical Engineer salaries in Milwaukee, WI

The estimated median Electrical Engineer salary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is $100,600/year, working out to approximately $48/hour at full-time, $3,869 per biweekly paycheck, or $8,383/month before taxes. Milwaukee's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.94× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Compared to the Wisconsin state average for this role ($99,500), Milwaukee pays about $1,100 more. This typically reflects how the metro area's cost of living and employer density differ from the state as a whole.

Take-home pay in Milwaukee

Of the gross $100,600, you take home roughly $73,790 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • Wisconsin state income tax (~5% effective)
  • Milwaukee has no local income tax

That works out to about $6,149/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Milwaukee Paycheck Calculator.

What affects your actual pay

  • Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Specific employer: top-tier employers in Milwaukee pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Milwaukee typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
  • Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
  • Remote vs in-office: many Milwaukee employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Electrical Engineer Salary in Wisconsin — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Milwaukee Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Electrical Engineer salary in Milwaukee?
The estimated median Electrical Engineer salary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is $100,600 per year, or approximately $48/hour at standard full-time. Milwaukee sits 6.0% below the US national average for this role.
Milwaukee vs Wisconsin state — what's the salary difference?
Milwaukee: $100,600. Wisconsin state average for Electrical Engineer: $99,500. Difference: +$1,100 (1.1%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Milwaukee have a city income tax?
No, Milwaukee has no separate city income tax. Only federal income tax, FICA, and Wisconsin state tax apply (roughly 5% effective state rate at this income).
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Milwaukee's cost of living relative to the US average. Milwaukee's multiplier is 0.94× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Electrical Engineer in Milwaukee?
Estimate: $73,790/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Wisconsin state tax (~5.0% effective), and Milwaukee local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the Milwaukee Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.