Electrician Salary

Milwaukee vs West Bend: Electrician Salary (2026)

Compare electrician salaries between Milwaukee, WI and West Bend, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Milwaukee, WI
$79,449
$38.20/hr
West Bend, WI
$78,068
$37.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WIWest Bend, WI
Median Salary$79,449$78,068
Hourly Rate$38.20$37.53
Entry Level (P10)$46,128$52,975
25th Percentile$58,382$60,487
75th Percentile$100,649$99,926
Top Earner (P90)$106,052$121,005
Total Employed4,4905
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($79,449) and West Bend ($78,068) electrician salaries.MilwaukeeWest BendMedian Salary$79,449$78,068Entry Level (P10)$46,128$52,975Top Earner (P90)$106,052$121,005US Median $64,530

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for electricians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to West Bend.

The salary gap between Milwaukee and West Bend is $1,381 (1.77%). Milwaukee's median is +23.12% compared to the US national median of $64,530.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Milwaukee spans $59,924,West Bend spans $68,030. West Bend has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electricians.

Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$46,128
P25$58,382
Median$79,449
P75$100,649
P90 (Top)$106,052
West Bend
P10 (Entry)$52,975
P25$60,487
Median$78,068
P75$99,926
P90 (Top)$121,005

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, West Bend ($83,585 effective) pays 1.98% more than Milwaukee ($81,959 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $79,449
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $81,959
West Bend
Nominal: $78,068
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $83,585

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,449/year)
  • Larger job market (4,490 employed)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose West Bend if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($121,005)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $83,585)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrician salaries in Milwaukee grew 8.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.6% growth in West Bend over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+8.0%

$72,040 (2019) → $77,800 (2025)

West Bend, WI

+12.6%

$67,914 (2024) → $76,447 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: Milwaukee or West Bend?

Milwaukee has a higher median electrician salary at $79,449/year, compared to West Bend at $78,068/year — a difference of $1,381 (1.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and West Bend?

Milwaukee electricians earn $38.20/hr while West Bend hygienists earn $37.53/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukee to West Bend as a electrician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and West Bend. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $81,959, West Bend = $83,585), job availability (4,490 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electricians earn in Milwaukee vs West Bend?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $46,128 in Milwaukee and $52,975 in West Bend. The West Bend area offers higher starting salaries.
SC

Written by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst

Career Analyst

Samuel Carter has over 10 years of experience as an electrician. His focus includes residential wiring and safety standards. He has worked in various construction firms.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.12% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst, a licensed electrician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov