Healthcare · Milwaukee, WI

Physician (Doctor) Salary in Milwaukee, WI (2026)

Median Physician (Doctor) salary in Milwaukee is approximately $216,200/year — 6.0% below the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Milwaukee

$216,200
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$104
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$8,315
Monthly
$18,017
Annual (gross)
$216,200
vs Wisconsin state average
State avg: $213,900
+$2,300
vs US national
National median: $230,000
-$13,800

After-tax estimate

$158,583
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$216,200
Federal tax (~14%)
−$30,268
FICA (7.65%)
−$16,539
Wisconsin state tax
~5% effective
−$10,810
Estimated take-home
$158,583
Monthly take-home
$13,215
For exact take-home, use our Milwaukee Paycheck Calculator.
Physician (Doctor) salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Milwaukee
Albuquerque, NM0.94×$216,200+$0
New Orleans, LA0.94×$216,200+$0
San Antonio, TX0.93×$213,900-$2,300
Grand Rapids, MI0.93×$213,900-$2,300
Pittsburgh, PA0.95×$218,500+$2,300

Physician (Doctor) salaries in Milwaukee, WI

The estimated median Physician (Doctor) salary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is $216,200/year, working out to approximately $104/hour at full-time, $8,315 per biweekly paycheck, or $18,017/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 ($213,900), Milwaukee pays about $2,300 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 $216,200, you take home roughly $158,583 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 $13,215/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

Physician (Doctor) 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 Physician (Doctor) salary in Milwaukee?
The estimated median Physician (Doctor) salary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is $216,200 per year, or approximately $104/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: $216,200. Wisconsin state average for Physician (Doctor): $213,900. Difference: +$2,300 (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 Physician (Doctor) in Milwaukee?
Estimate: $158,583/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.