Highest paying jobs in Wausau, WI
The best paying occupations in the Wausau, 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 7.3% below the national average (2024).
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianWausau, WI | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physicians, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $364,260 | $204,170 – $514,000 | 170 |
| 2 | Nurse AnesthetistsMaster's degree | $269,790 | $214,160 – $320,630 | 70 |
| 3 | Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree | $202,460 | $105,070 – $392,380 | 120 |
| 4 | Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $202,250 | $118,900 – $285,410 | 70 |
| 5 | PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree | $148,740 | $110,320 – $165,980 | 130 |
| 6 | OptometristsDoctoral or professional degree | $142,690 | $99,270 – $194,020 | 30 |
| 7 | Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree | $141,150 | $78,080 – $205,370 | 50 |
| 8 | Financial ManagersBachelor's degree | $131,320 | $75,970 – $217,460 | 300 |
| 9 | Human Resources ManagersBachelor's degree | $131,240 | $83,570 – $184,300 | 70 |
| 10 | Physician AssistantsMaster's degree | $129,980 | $106,240 – $162,250 | 90 |
| 11 | Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree | $129,720 | $104,800 – $161,520 | 220 |
| 12 | Computer and Information Systems ManagersBachelor's degree | $129,620 | $89,870 – $194,600 | 120 |
| 13 | Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree | $126,530 | $96,170 – $165,700 | 100 |
| 14 | Medical and Health Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $125,550 | $81,500 – $219,990 | 180 |
| 15 | Sales ManagersBachelor's degree | $123,230 | $72,450 – $202,070 | 190 |
| 16 | Purchasing ManagersBachelor's degree | $121,610 | $79,800 – $132,650 | 40 |
| 17 | Clinical and Counseling PsychologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $114,400 | $71,170 – $165,040 | 40 |
| 18 | General and Operations ManagersBachelor's degree | $107,550 | $59,110 – $215,780 | 810 |
| 19 | Construction ManagersBachelor's degree | $106,480 | $64,990 – $161,290 | 90 |
| 20 | LawyersDoctoral or professional degree | $106,290 | $65,360 – $288,460 | 150 |
| 21 | Education Administrators, Kindergarten through SecondaryMaster's degree | $105,910 | $79,540 – $132,430 | 90 |
| 22 | Data ScientistsBachelor's degree | $104,420 | $72,000 – $173,920 | 50 |
| 23 | Facilities ManagersBachelor's degree | $102,420 | $71,180 – $169,220 | 40 |
| 24 | VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree | $101,540 | $81,790 – $160,590 | 40 |
| 25 | Personal Financial AdvisorsBachelor's degree | $100,500 | $47,120 – $381,280 | 70 |
| 26 | Physical TherapistsDoctoral or professional degree | $99,910 | $79,320 – $125,800 | 90 |
| 27 | Software DevelopersBachelor's degree | $98,650 | $64,390 – $153,260 | 190 |
| 28 | Managers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $98,060 | $59,960 – $177,070 | 240 |
| 29 | Administrative Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $96,190 | $70,580 – $158,870 | 80 |
| 30 | First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $93,450 | $49,990 – $131,330 | 110 |
| 31 | Management AnalystsBachelor's degree | $92,370 | $66,400 – $148,490 | 110 |
| 32 | Industrial EngineersBachelor's degree | $92,120 | $64,490 – $128,820 | 310 |
| 33 | Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $90,900 | $49,830 – $96,020 | 200 |
| 34 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and DetectivesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $90,470 | $68,420 – $119,950 | 40 |
| 35 | Occupational TherapistsMaster's degree | $90,030 | $72,800 – $102,640 | 70 |
| 36 | Registered NursesBachelor's degree | $89,190 | $77,380 – $115,210 | 1,830 |
| 37 | Project Management SpecialistsBachelor's degree | $88,940 | $59,270 – $128,670 | 390 |
| 38 | Detectives and Criminal InvestigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $88,780 | $81,320 – $97,120 | 30 |
| 39 | Dental HygienistsAssociate's degree | $87,470 | $77,670 – $99,830 | 150 |
| 40 | Instructional CoordinatorsMaster's degree | $87,180 | $48,360 – $124,870 | 40 |
| 41 | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $86,750 | $50,380 – $103,440 | 260 |
| 42 | Civil EngineersBachelor's degree | $85,790 | $61,940 – $131,160 | 90 |
| 43 | Electrical EngineersBachelor's degree | $85,210 | $56,920 – $125,490 | 60 |
| 44 | Occupational Health and Safety SpecialistsBachelor's degree | $85,010 | $68,250 – $127,420 | 60 |
| 45 | First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention WorkersPostsecondary nondegree award | $84,880 | $38,560 – $103,760 | 50 |
| 46 | Network and Computer Systems AdministratorsBachelor's degree | $83,960 | $60,310 – $126,000 | 170 |
| 47 | MillwrightsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $83,480 | $70,820 – $91,050 | 50 |
| 48 | Computer Systems AnalystsBachelor's degree | $82,720 | $65,900 – $127,750 | 90 |
| 49 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $82,500 | $54,030 – $136,680 | 110 |
| 50 | Career/Technical Education Teachers, PostsecondaryBachelor's degree | $80,480 | $59,280 – $99,930 | 70 |