Payroll clerk salary in Wisconsin
The median payroll clerk in Wisconsin earns $59,310 a year, or $28.52 an hour, in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 survey. That is 2% above the national median of $58,260, and 19th of the 54 states and territories BLS publishes.
The middle half of Wisconsin’s 2,590 payroll clerks earn between $50,850 and $66,980. The highest paying metro area in the state is Oshkosh-Neenah, WI, at $64,690.
Liaison does the routine half of a payroll clerk’s job for 9% of what one costs in Wisconsin. See how.
Payroll clerk salary by city in Wisconsin
Every metro area in Wisconsin where BLS publishes a median for payroll clerks, highest first. A metro that crosses a state line appears under each of its states.
| Metro area | Median annual | Median hourly | Middle half earns | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $64,690 | $31.10 | $52,070 to $75,140 | 70 |
| Madison, WI | $63,500 | $30.53 | $54,220 to $69,010 | 360 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $63,060 | $30.32 | $54,680 to $73,720 | 1,920 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $62,400 | $30.00 | $57,150 to $72,010 | 50 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $60,510 | $29.09 | $52,090 to $67,640 | 690 |
| Appleton, WI | $60,240 | $28.96 | $51,360 to $68,950 | 100 |
| Kenosha, WI | $59,790 | $28.75 | $53,050 to $67,710 | 80 |
| Wausau, WI | $59,650 | $28.68 | $51,330 to $66,160 | 60 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $59,460 | $28.59 | $51,260 to $63,940 | 80 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $58,500 | $28.13 | $49,590 to $66,420 | 70 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $58,180 | $27.97 | $48,950 to $67,680 | 70 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $58,150 | $27.96 | $49,440 to $67,730 | 80 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $57,760 | $27.77 | $54,030 to $61,830 | 110 |
| Green Bay, WI | $57,510 | $27.65 | $47,600 to $67,220 | 150 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $54,400 | $26.16 | $48,610 to $72,710 | 50 |
What a payroll clerk costs an employer in Wisconsin
Wages are the start. At employers with fewer than 50 workers, benefits add 35% on top (BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation), so a payroll clerk at the Wisconsin median costs about $80,100 a year. The employer’s view for every state and metro is on what a payroll clerk costs, and the routine part of the job is what Liaison does inside the tools a business already runs.
The routine half of a payroll clerk’s job, for 9% of what one costs in Wisconsin.
- Collects the hours and the approvals before the run and flags what does not add up.
- Cross-checks the payroll totals against the books at month end.
- Tells you on Monday whether Friday’s payroll is covered, from the bank, the books and the payouts on their way.
Professional is $629 a month, $7,548 a year, against about $80,100 a year for a payroll clerk at the Wisconsin median once benefits are added. On Professional we connect your tools, bring your data in and set up the first rules with you. Anything that moves money waits for your yes.
“Cut our month-end close from 4 days to 4 hours.” Marcus C., owner
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Questions
How much does a payroll clerk make in Wisconsin?
The median payroll clerk in Wisconsin earned $59,310 a year, or $28.52 an hour, in May 2025. The middle half earned between $50,850 and $66,980. Nationally the median is $58,260, so Wisconsin pays 2% more than the country as a whole.
Which cities in Wisconsin pay payroll clerks the most?
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI ($64,690), Madison, WI ($63,500) and Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($63,060).
What does a payroll clerk cost an employer in Wisconsin?
Benefits at employers with fewer than 50 workers add 35% on top of wages, so a payroll clerk at the Wisconsin median costs about $80,100 a year. The employer’s view is at useliaison.com/back-office-costs/payroll-clerk.
Payroll clerk salary in other states
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 43-3051. Annual figures assume 2,080 hours a year. Updated 2026-10-02.
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