Salary & Cost of Living in West Bend, WI
West Bend, WI: $46,461 median salary, cost of living index 85.9, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$46,461
$22/hr
Cost of Living
85.9
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.4%
rate
West Bend, WI Overview
Population
31,078
Median Salary
$46,461
Average Salary
$52,036
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$229,000
Median Rent
$932/mo
Job Growth
+0.8%
Sales Tax
5%
West Bend is located in Wisconsin with a population of 31,078. The median household salary is $46,461 per year ($22/hour), which is $12,923 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.8%.
West Bend Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in West Bend, WI based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $46,461 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 | $28,806 | $13.85/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $46,461 | $22.34/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $65,975 | $31.72/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $82,701 | $39.77/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.
West Bend Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in West Bend, WI, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$36,457
$3,038.07/month · $1,402.18/biweekly · Effective Rate: 21.5%
Gross Pay
$46,461
Federal Tax
-$3,537
State Tax
-$2,913
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,554
Net Pay
$36,457
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $3,871.75 | $46,461.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$294.73 | -$3,536.82 |
| Wisconsin State Tax (6.27%) | -$242.76 | -$2,913.10 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$240.05 | -$2,880.58 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$56.14 | -$673.68 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,038.07 | $36,456.81 |
Salary Comparison: West Bend vs Other Cities
See how West Bend's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Bend, WI | $46,461 | 85.9 | $54,087 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Goshen, IN | $46,467 | 83.4 | $55,716 |
| Owasso, OK | $46,474 | 88.7 | $52,395 |
| Cleveland, TN | $46,487 | 88.2 | $52,706 |
| Macomb Township, MI | $46,390 | 94.2 | $49,246 |
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 West Bend
West Bend's cost of living index is 85.9 (national average = 100). Living in West Bend is 14.099999999999994% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$229,000
Median Monthly Rent
$932
Annual Rent Cost
$11,184
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $36,457 annual take-home pay in West Bend has the purchasing power of approximately $42,441 in an average-cost US area. Your $46,461 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in West Bend
West Bend's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $46,461.
Salary Tips for West Bend Workers
- Your salary goes further here. West Bend has a cost of living 14.099999999999994% below the national average. A salary of $46,461 here has the purchasing power of about $54,087 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. West Bend's top industries include Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $46,461 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 West Bend salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the West Bend-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 West Bend indexed at 85.9.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of West Bend's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $46,461 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 West Bend: 3.4%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 0.8% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Wisconsin.
- Housing context: median home price $229,000, median rent $932/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for West Bend, WI:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — West Bend unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — West Bend 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. West Bend'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 West Bend, WI?
The median salary in West Bend, WI is $46,461 per year, or $22 per hour. The average salary is $52,036. This is $12,923 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in West Bend, WI?
West Bend's cost of living index is 85.9 (national average = 100), meaning it is 14.099999999999994% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $229,000 and the median monthly rent is $932.
What are the best industries in West Bend?
The top industries in West Bend, WI include Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 0.8% and an unemployment rate of 3.4%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $46,461.
How does West Bend's salary compare to other cities?
West Bend's median salary of $46,461 is 21.8% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 85.9), the real purchasing power is approximately $54,087.
What is the minimum wage in West Bend, WI?
The minimum wage in West Bend, 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.