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Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants Salary in Wisconsin: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants salary really buy you in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin is 7.7% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$36,550
Median annual (2025)
+8.3%
Real Purchasing Power
$39,599
COL-adjusted (RPP=92.3)

Wisconsin Cost of Living Index

Wisconsin's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 92.3, meaning prices are 7.7% lower the national average. A Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants earning $36,550 in Wisconsin has the equivalent purchasing power of $39,599 in an average-cost US state.

WI: 92.3
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Wisconsin's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $25,020 $27,107 +$2,087
25th Percentile (P25) $30,360 $32,892 +$2,532
Median (P50) $36,550 $39,599 +$3,049
75th Percentile (P75) $38,170 $41,354 +$3,184
90th Percentile (P90) $43,910 $47,573 +$3,663
Key Insight

A Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants in Wisconsin earns $36,550 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 8% further — like earning $39,599 in an average-cost state. This makes Wisconsin one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Wisconsin Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 92.3

Wisconsin's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 92.3 means a basket of goods and services costs about 7.7% less than the national average. For a Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+8.3%

After applying Wisconsin's RPP, the $36,550 median salary translates to $39,599 in real terms — a 8.3% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants.

Top-Quartile Adjusted Earnings in Wisconsin

#9 / 51

Ranked on COL-adjusted median pay for Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants, Wisconsin places #9 of 51 states — top quartile. Either nominal wages run high, cost of living runs low, or both.

Best States for Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants (After Cost of Living)

Where does Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Montana
$42,857
RPP 90.3
$41,855
RPP 91.1
$41,420
RPP 88.7
$40,965
RPP 88.0
5. Alaska
$40,774
RPP 102.0
$40,127
RPP 86.6
7. Wyoming
$39,869
RPP 91.9
$39,818
RPP 104.7
$39,599
RPP 92.3
10. Kansas
$39,377
RPP 90.0

Wisconsin ranks #9 out of 51 states for Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants take-home pay in Wisconsin after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants in Wisconsin after cost of living?

A Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants in Wisconsin earns a median salary of $36,550 per year. After adjusting for Wisconsin's cost of living (RPP=92.3), the real purchasing power is $39,599 — a +8.3% difference.

Is Wisconsin expensive to live in?

Wisconsin's cost of living is 7.7% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Wisconsin is 92.3 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants in Wisconsin: $36,550 x (100 / 92.3) = $39,599. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants in Wisconsin financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants in Wisconsin enjoys 8.3% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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