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Bridge and Lock Tenders Salary in Wisconsin: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Bridge and Lock Tenders 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
$57,350
Median annual (2025)
+8.3%
Real Purchasing Power
$62,134
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 Bridge and Lock Tenders earning $57,350 in Wisconsin has the equivalent purchasing power of $62,134 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) $41,260 $44,702 +$3,442
25th Percentile (P25) $51,160 $55,427 +$4,267
Median (P50) $57,350 $62,134 +$4,784
75th Percentile (P75) $66,410 $71,950 +$5,540
90th Percentile (P90) $75,000 $81,256 +$6,256
Key Insight

A Bridge and Lock Tenders in Wisconsin earns $57,350 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 8% further — like earning $62,134 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 Bridge and Lock Tenders, 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 $57,350 median salary translates to $62,134 in real terms — a 8.3% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Bridge and Lock Tenders.

Below-Median Adjusted Pay

#15 / 23

Wisconsin's rank of #15 of 23 states means real purchasing power for Bridge and Lock Tenders trails the national half-way line.

Best States for Bridge and Lock Tenders (After Cost of Living)

Where does Bridge and Lock Tenders salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$85,601
RPP 87.3
$81,350
RPP 91.1
3. Iowa
$80,192
RPP 88.4
$76,171
RPP 97.7
5. Alabama
$76,116
RPP 87.8
$73,385
RPP 89.2
$71,528
RPP 96.2
$71,056
RPP 109.8
$69,980
RPP 101.3
10. Indiana
$66,209
RPP 91.8

Wisconsin ranks #15 out of 23 states for Bridge and Lock Tenders after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Bridge and Lock Tenders take-home pay in Wisconsin after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Bridge and Lock Tenders in Wisconsin after cost of living?

A Bridge and Lock Tenders in Wisconsin earns a median salary of $57,350 per year. After adjusting for Wisconsin's cost of living (RPP=92.3), the real purchasing power is $62,134 — 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 Bridge and Lock Tenders in Wisconsin: $57,350 x (100 / 92.3) = $62,134. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Bridge and Lock Tenders in Wisconsin financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Bridge and Lock Tenders 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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