Software Engineer Salary in Wisconsin
Based on 5K+ workers in Wisconsin
Median Annual Salary (WI)
$88,130
$42.37/hr
vs National Average
$106,671
-17.4% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$53K – $133K
5K employed in Wisconsin
The median Software Engineer salary in Wisconsin sits at $88,130 annually. This figure falls within a broad range, from $52,640 at the lower end to $133,450 at the higher end. Notably, this median salary is 17% below the national average, reflecting the specific economic landscape of the state for this profession.
Several factors contribute to the variations in Software Engineer salary in Wisconsin. Experience level is paramount, with more seasoned professionals commanding higher pay. Additionally, the specific technologies and programming languages an engineer is proficient in, along with the size and industry of the employing company, significantly influence compensation. The demand for these skills within the local job market also plays a role.
Salary Distribution — Software Engineer in Wisconsin
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $52,640 |
| 25th percentile | $68,300 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $88,130 |
| 75th percentile | $109,480 |
| 90th percentile | $133,450 |
Top H-1B Employers for Software Engineer in Wisconsin
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in Wisconsin — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS US CORP | 8 | $74,485 |
| 2 | Genpact LLC | 5 | $125,000 |
| 3 | Capgemini America Inc | 4 | $105,900 |
| 4 | COMPUNNEL SOFTWARE GROUP, INC | 4 | $81,500 |
| 5 | S9 TECHNOLOGIES INC | 3 | $82,000 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Software Engineer H-1B Salary by Wage Level in Wisconsin
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in Wisconsin.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level II | Qualified | $81,450 | 34 |
| Level III | Experienced | $103,017 | 11 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $114,660 | 7 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Software Engineer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Software Engineers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Software Engineers in Wisconsin tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Insurance | $131,760 | 27K |
| Information | $131,720 | 48K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $128,070 | 25K |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $124,530 | 98K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $121,310 | 124K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Software Engineer in Wisconsin vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Wisconsin) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $78,330 |
| 2023 | $81,660 |
| 2024 | $85,290 |
| 2025 | $88,130 |
| 2026 (projected) | $91,065 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Wisconsin Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $78,330 | $89,712 |
| 2023 | $81,660 | $97,924 |
| 2024 | $85,290 | $101,746 |
| 2025 | $88,130 | $106,671 |
| 2026 (projected) | $91,065 | $110,223 |
Software Engineer Salary by Experience Level in Wisconsin
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $68,300 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $88,130 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $109,480 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $133,450 |
Software Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Software Engineer Salaries in Wisconsin
How other high-demand occupations in Wisconsin compare to Software Engineer ($88,130 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Software Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in WI | $160,140 | +81.7% | $76.99/hr |
| Database Administrator in WI | $137,810 | +56.4% | $66.25/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in WI | $131,720 | +49.5% | $63.33/hr |
| Software Developer in WI | $122,660 | +39.2% | $58.97/hr |
| Statistician in WI | $107,150 | +21.6% | $51.51/hr |
| Data Scientist in WI | $106,680 | +21.0% | $51.29/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in WI | $101,550 | +15.2% | $48.82/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in WI | $100,440 | +14.0% | $48.29/hr |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer in WI | $95,340 | +8.2% | $45.84/hr |
| Web Developer in WI | $90,630 | +2.8% | $43.57/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in WI | $83,670 | -5.1% | $40.23/hr |
| Network Administrator in WI | $83,650 | -5.1% | $40.22/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical salary for a Software Engineer in Wisconsin?
- The median salary for a Software Engineer in Wisconsin is $88,130 per year, which averages out to $42 per hour. This means that half of Software Engineers in the state earn more than this figure, and half earn less.
How does the average Software Engineer salary in Wisconsin compare to the national average?
- Software Engineers in Wisconsin earn 17.4% less than the national average. While the median in Wisconsin is $88,130 annually, the national median is higher.
What is the salary range for Software Engineers in Wisconsin?
- The salary range for Software Engineers in Wisconsin is quite broad, from $52,640 on the lower end to $133,450 on the higher end annually. This indicates a significant difference in compensation based on experience, skills, and employer.
How many Software Engineers are employed in Wisconsin?
- There are approximately 4,680 Software Engineers currently employed in Wisconsin. This number represents the active workforce in this tech field within the state.