Highest paying jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
The best paying occupations in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, ranked by median annual wage. Metro wage estimates are suppressed more often than state ones — BLS withholds any figure that too few local employers report — so an occupation missing here simply has no published local estimate.
Cost of living: prices here run 3.1% below the national average (2024).
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianMilwaukee-Waukesha, WI | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surgeons, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $762,360 | $46,490 – $802,110 | 140 |
| 2 | Physicians, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $411,200 | $232,480 – $478,990 | 2,390 |
| 3 | PsychiatristsDoctoral or professional degree | $331,500 | $137,720 – $384,730 | 180 |
| 4 | Obstetricians and GynecologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $300,470 | $210,390 – $406,710 | 170 |
| 5 | Family Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $287,350 | $225,300 – $385,260 | 390 |
| 6 | Nurse AnesthetistsMaster's degree | $282,840 | $226,870 – $288,540 | 210 |
| 7 | Pediatricians, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $276,470 | $204,660 – $331,860 | 60 |
| 8 | Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree | $216,240 | $115,030 – $477,900 | — |
| 9 | Commercial PilotsPostsecondary nondegree award | $177,730 | $78,840 – $269,990 | 420 |
| 10 | PhysicistsDoctoral or professional degree | $173,160 | $96,110 – $279,870 | 50 |
| 11 | Real Estate BrokersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $168,320 | $51,570 – $183,190 | 160 |
| 12 | Computer and Information Systems ManagersBachelor's degree | $161,220 | $102,710 – $230,000 | 2,520 |
| 13 | Financial ManagersBachelor's degree | $156,100 | $92,060 – $269,270 | 5,160 |
| 14 | Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $155,940 | $117,460 – $283,800 | 830 |
| 15 | PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree | $153,340 | $120,600 – $180,910 | 1,760 |
| 16 | Database ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $148,020 | $90,630 – $171,440 | 130 |
| 17 | Advertising and Promotions ManagersBachelor's degree | $144,960 | $46,970 – $199,990 | 50 |
| 18 | Sales ManagersBachelor's degree | $144,560 | $78,960 – $229,400 | 3,240 |
| 19 | Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree | $143,570 | $103,100 – $209,240 | 1,610 |
| 20 | Nurse MidwivesMaster's degree | $141,520 | $107,720 – $155,860 | 50 |
| 21 | Natural Sciences ManagersBachelor's degree | $140,170 | $96,600 – $253,800 | 160 |
| 22 | PodiatristsDoctoral or professional degree | $136,790 | $74,240 – $258,160 | 30 |
| 23 | Human Resources ManagersBachelor's degree | $136,530 | $96,770 – $225,010 | 1,190 |
| 24 | Physician AssistantsMaster's degree | $135,040 | $97,090 – $169,360 | 1,220 |
| 25 | Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree | $134,350 | $109,350 – $168,760 | 1,450 |
| 26 | Computer Network ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $134,070 | $92,190 – $169,890 | 790 |
| 27 | Medical and Health Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $133,270 | $95,170 – $332,860 | 2,320 |
| 28 | Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing OfficersDoctoral or professional degree | $132,250 | $110,200 – $207,480 | 40 |
| 29 | OptometristsDoctoral or professional degree | $132,130 | $75,030 – $207,050 | 210 |
| 30 | ActuariesBachelor's degree | $132,010 | $81,760 – $204,790 | 310 |
| 31 | LawyersDoctoral or professional degree | $131,100 | $78,970 – $436,120 | 4,040 |
| 32 | Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree | $130,700 | $81,980 – $216,350 | 1,580 |
| 33 | Bioengineers and Biomedical EngineersBachelor's degree | $129,640 | $82,420 – $160,190 | 90 |
| 34 | Managers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $129,300 | $79,120 – $203,090 | 3,280 |
| 35 | Purchasing ManagersBachelor's degree | $127,950 | $83,250 – $202,010 | 610 |
| 36 | Compensation and Benefits ManagersBachelor's degree | $127,920 | $90,900 – $214,420 | — |
| 37 | Fundraising ManagersBachelor's degree | $126,950 | $71,690 – $227,100 | 190 |
| 38 | Education Administrators, PostsecondaryMaster's degree | $126,430 | $77,650 – $202,990 | 390 |
| 39 | Personal Financial AdvisorsBachelor's degree | $125,810 | $64,820 – $390,270 | 2,150 |
| 40 | General and Operations ManagersBachelor's degree | $125,490 | $61,420 – $260,040 | 10,480 |
| 41 | Software DevelopersBachelor's degree | $123,730 | $77,740 – $164,660 | 6,170 |
| 42 | Training and Development ManagersBachelor's degree | $123,640 | $85,060 – $168,600 | 210 |
| 43 | Sales EngineersBachelor's degree | $119,950 | $84,630 – $219,810 | 450 |
| 44 | Industrial Production ManagersBachelor's degree | $119,610 | $78,500 – $190,830 | — |
| 45 | Public Relations ManagersBachelor's degree | $119,340 | $81,650 – $222,220 | 400 |
| 46 | Construction ManagersBachelor's degree | $119,170 | $77,170 – $169,000 | 1,680 |
| 47 | VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree | $117,780 | $80,210 – $161,240 | 430 |
| 48 | Administrative Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $116,990 | $73,150 – $191,460 | 1,650 |
| 49 | Education Administrators, Kindergarten through SecondaryMaster's degree | $115,990 | $79,750 – $150,090 | — |
| 50 | Clinical and Counseling PsychologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $109,940 | $80,100 – $150,820 | 310 |