Contact Sales
Sign in
Book a demo
Platform
Plateform
Platform Overview
Why Workstream
Why Workstream
compliance icon
Compliance
Integrations
Integrations
fully-supported
Fully Supported
Product
Hiring
Hiring
Active sourcing
Applicant Tracking
Multilingual hiring
Screening
time & scheduling icon
Time & Scheduling
Time Clock
Shift Scheduling
HR
HR
Team View
Secure records
Documents & Signatures
Onboarding
Engagement
Engagement
Employee Surveys
Communication
payroll-1
Payroll
Full-Service Payroll
Employee Engagement
Full-Service Setup
Benefits Administration New
Reports
Solutions for
Featured Reads
Webinar
For our customers: Product roadmap sneak peek
Watch now
LEARN
CONNECT
hiring
Restaurant

Help restaurant and franchise owners hire, pay, and retain your hourly team.

Restaurant Payroll 101
Learn how to tackle the hardest aspects of paying restaurant workers from taxes and tip reporting to labor law compliance.
Master hourly pay
HOURLY WAGE INDEX

Let’s talk wages in Wisconsin

Back to home
scale-img
$7.25

What is the minimum wage in Wisconsin?

The Wisconsin minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. This is the same as the federal minimum wage, as Wisconsin has not yet enacted a state law to raise the Wisconsin minimum wage above this amount.

It's also important to note that there are also exemptions to the Wisconsin minimum wage laws, such as for tipped employees, full-time students, and certain disabled workers.

statistics-img
$28.61

What is the average wage in Wisconsin?

The average wage in Wisconsin is $28.61 per hour or $59,500 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, it's important to note that the average wage varies depending on the occupation and industry.

money-img
$31.38

What is the living wage in Wisconsin?

money-img
$12.00

What is the minimum wage in Milwaukee, Wisonsin?

The minimum wage in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is $12.00 per hour for employers with more than 50 employees and $11.00 per hour for employers with less than 50 employees. 

This is higher than the state minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, as the city of Milwaukee has enacted a local ordinance to raise the minimum wage above the state level.

A guide to hourly labor laws in Wisconsin

  • Final Paychecks: By the next regularly scheduled payday (Wis. Stat. § 109.03).
  • Wage Payment Frequency: At least monthly (Wis. Stat. § 109.03).
  • Paid Sick Leave: No state/federal law. Policies are determined by the employer or through collective bargaining agreements (DoL).
  • Paid Family and Medical Leave: No paid leave. Up to 12 unpaid weeks in one year for eligible employees (FMLA).
  • Maximum Daily and Weekly Hours for Children Under 16:
    • General: No more than six days per week. For every six-hour shift, a 30-minute meal break is earned, to be taken at 6 a.m., noon, 6 p.m., or midnight, or halfway through a shift.
    • School session: No working during school hours; up to three hours per day and 18 hours per week.
    • Non-school session: Up to eight hours per day and 40 hours per week.
    • Working hours: Only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., extended until 9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day (Wis. Stat. § 103.68) (29 C.F.R. § 570.35).
  • Maximum Daily and Weekly Hours for Children 16 and 17: Federal law does not restrict 16- and 17-year-olds’ working hours in non-hazardous occupations (DoL).

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between gross wages and net wages?

It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.

What is a good hourly wage?

This question is a difficult one to answer, as a "good hourly wage" is highly subjective according to experience, work responsibilities, cost of living, and other factors. We recommend using Hourly Wage Index data as a starting point. Once you have established a baseline for certain positions, do further research into similar businesses in your area. Lastly, consider surveying your employees. They're the best resource to help you know what is a good hourly wage, what competitive pay looks like in your location, and how competitive wages change in your industry over time.

Offering competitive pay is one of my top priorities—what other resources do you have that might help?

We know that getting applicants to pay attention to your business can be extremely challenging, and that offering competitive pay is a huge part of that. Wages aren’t everything, however! Applicant experience is another important factor that can help set you apart from your competition. A few examples include:


  • Short, easy to understand job descriptions
  • Mobile-friendliness
  • Quick communication
  • Streamlined interview stages
Resources

Become a hiring and onboarding expert.

blog_3
GUIDE

Checking the box on hiring and retention

Download the packet
blog_2
BLOG

5 Steps to build your convenience store brand

Read now
blog_1
BLOG

Social media recruiting: Why your employees should help

Read now

We're here to help!

A Workstream hiring specialist can help you identify high impact ways to improve your applicant experience, and even help you determine what is a good hourly wage for your location and business.

Sign up for a free 30 minute chat with a hiring specialist now

Learn about wages in your city

Milwaukee Minimum Wage 2025