Salary & Cost of Living in Manitowoc, WI
Manitowoc, WI: $54,292 median salary, cost of living index 88.7, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$54,292
$26/hr
Cost of Living
88.7
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
2.5%
rate
Manitowoc, WI Overview
Population
32,547
Median Salary
$54,292
Average Salary
$60,807
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$205,000
Median Rent
$836/mo
Job Growth
+2.7%
Sales Tax
5%
Manitowoc is located in Wisconsin with a population of 32,547. The median household salary is $54,292 per year ($26/hour), which is $5,092 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.7%.
Manitowoc Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Manitowoc, WI based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $54,292 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $33,661 | $16.18/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $54,292 | $26.10/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $77,095 | $37.06/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $96,640 | $46.46/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Manitowoc Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Manitowoc, WI, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$42,258
$3,521.50/month · $1,625.31/biweekly · Effective Rate: 22.2%
Gross Pay
$54,292
Federal Tax
-$4,477
State Tax
-$3,404
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,153
Net Pay
$42,258
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,524.33 | $54,292.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$373.05 | -$4,476.54 |
| Wisconsin State Tax (6.27%) | -$283.68 | -$3,404.11 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$280.51 | -$3,366.10 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$65.60 | -$787.23 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,521.50 | $42,258.01 |
Salary Comparison: Manitowoc vs Other Cities
See how Manitowoc's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manitowoc, WI | $54,292 | 88.7 | $61,209 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Warminster, PA | $54,294 | 87.9 | $61,768 |
| Elmont, NY | $54,300 | 129.9 | $41,801 |
| Tamarac, FL | $54,367 | 102.9 | $52,835 |
| Oak Creek, WI | $54,214 | 82.7 | $65,555 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Manitowoc
Manitowoc's cost of living index is 88.7 (national average = 100). Living in Manitowoc is 11.299999999999997% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$205,000
Median Monthly Rent
$836
Annual Rent Cost
$10,032
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $42,258 annual take-home pay in Manitowoc has the purchasing power of approximately $47,642 in an average-cost US area. Your $54,292 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Manitowoc
Manitowoc's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $54,292.
Salary Tips for Manitowoc Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Manitowoc has a cost of living 11.299999999999997% below the national average. A salary of $54,292 here has the purchasing power of about $61,209 in an average-cost area.
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 6.27% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. Manitowoc's top industries include Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $54,292 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Manitowoc salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Manitowoc-WI metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Manitowoc indexed at 88.7.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Manitowoc's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $54,292 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Wisconsin state income tax (6.27%) (no local income tax), sales tax (5%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Manitowoc: 2.5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.7% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Wisconsin.
- Housing context: median home price $205,000, median rent $836/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Manitowoc, WI:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Manitowoc unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Manitowoc QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Wisconsin — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Manitowoc's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Wisconsin labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Manitowoc, WI?
The median salary in Manitowoc, WI is $54,292 per year, or $26 per hour. The average salary is $60,807. This is $5,092 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Manitowoc, WI?
Manitowoc's cost of living index is 88.7 (national average = 100), meaning it is 11.299999999999997% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $205,000 and the median monthly rent is $836.
What are the best industries in Manitowoc?
The top industries in Manitowoc, WI include Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 2.7% and an unemployment rate of 2.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $54,292.
How does Manitowoc's salary compare to other cities?
Manitowoc's median salary of $54,292 is 8.6% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 88.7), the real purchasing power is approximately $61,209.
What is the minimum wage in Manitowoc, WI?
The minimum wage in Manitowoc, WI is $7.25 per hour. This equals approximately $15,080 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.