Wisconsin Job Market: Top Industries, Salaries & Employers (2026)
Guide to the Wisconsin job market in 2026. Manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and technology across Milwaukee and Madison.
Wisconsin is a manufacturing and agricultural powerhouse with a quietly growing tech sector. The state's strong work ethic, quality of life, and affordable living attract both established companies and startups.
Top Industries
- Manufacturing: Wisconsin is a top-5 manufacturing state. Paper products, machinery, food processing, and medical devices. Oshkosh Corporation, Harley-Davidson, SC Johnson, and Rockwell Automation. 470,000+ manufacturing jobs.
- Healthcare: Ascension Wisconsin, Advocate Aurora Health, Froedtert, and UW Health. Epic Systems (Verona) — the largest electronic health records company — is a major employer and tech anchor. 340,000+ healthcare workers.
- Agriculture & Dairy: Wisconsin is "America's Dairyland" — #1 in cheese production, #2 in dairy. Agriculture contributes $105B annually. Food processing connects farming to manufacturing.
- Insurance: Milwaukee is a major insurance hub. Northwestern Mutual (HQ, 7,000+ employees), Acuity, American Family Insurance (Madison), and CUNA Mutual.
- Technology: Epic Systems (10,000+ employees in Verona) anchors the tech sector. Madison is a growing tech hub with UW-Madison feeding startups. Milwaukee has Rockwell Automation, ManpowerGroup, and fintech growth.
Major Employers
| Employer | Industry | Approx. WI Employees |
|---|---|---|
| Advocate Aurora Health | Healthcare | 38,000+ |
| State of Wisconsin | Government | 35,000+ |
| Epic Systems | Healthcare IT | 12,000+ |
| Ascension Wisconsin | Healthcare | 22,000+ |
| Northwestern Mutual | Insurance | 7,000+ |
| Oshkosh Corporation | Manufacturing | 8,000+ |
| Walmart | Retail | 28,000+ |
Average Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Avg Salary | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | $55,870 | 93 |
| Madison | $57,640 | 102 |
| Green Bay | $49,720 | 86 |
| Appleton-Oshkosh | $48,930 | 84 |
| Racine-Kenosha | $50,340 | 90 |
Growing Sectors
- Healthcare IT: Epic Systems' continued growth and the UW-Madison health innovation ecosystem are creating a healthtech corridor in Dane County.
- Water Technology: Milwaukee's "Water Council" is a global hub for water technology research and startups — the only cluster of its kind.
- Advanced Manufacturing: Robotics and automation are transforming Wisconsin's manufacturing base, creating higher-skilled positions.
Remote Work Availability
Madison offers strong remote work infrastructure and quality of life. Epic Systems traditionally requires on-campus work, but many other Wisconsin employers have adopted hybrid models. Milwaukee's low cost of living attracts remote workers from Chicago and the coasts.
FAQ
What is the minimum wage in Wisconsin?
$7.25/hour (federal floor). Milwaukee and Madison have pushed for higher local minimums but are preempted by state law. Most employers pay $11-15+ entry level.