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Healthcare Social Workers Salary in Wisconsin: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Healthcare Social Workers 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
$66,910
Median annual (2025)
+8.3%
Real Purchasing Power
$72,491
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 Healthcare Social Workers earning $66,910 in Wisconsin has the equivalent purchasing power of $72,491 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) $50,280 $54,474 +$4,194
25th Percentile (P25) $59,640 $64,615 +$4,975
Median (P50) $66,910 $72,491 +$5,581
75th Percentile (P75) $78,830 $85,406 +$6,576
90th Percentile (P90) $91,040 $98,634 +$7,594
Key Insight

A Healthcare Social Workers in Wisconsin earns $66,910 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 8% further — like earning $72,491 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 Healthcare Social Workers, 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 $66,910 median salary translates to $72,492 in real terms — a 8.3% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Healthcare Social Workers.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#14 / 51

Wisconsin sits at #14 of 51 states for Healthcare Social Workers COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for Healthcare Social Workers (After Cost of Living)

Where does Healthcare Social Workers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Utah
$82,698
RPP 94.5
2. Nevada
$81,400
RPP 96.4
3. Idaho
$81,154
RPP 91.8
$80,703
RPP 116.6
5. Vermont
$80,257
RPP 101.1
$79,697
RPP 112.5
7. Oregon
$79,127
RPP 106.6
8. Hawaii
$77,093
RPP 110.8
$76,001
RPP 108.8
10. Minnesota
$75,711
RPP 97.7

Wisconsin ranks #14 out of 51 states for Healthcare Social Workers after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Healthcare Social Workers take-home pay in Wisconsin after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Healthcare Social Workers in Wisconsin after cost of living?

A Healthcare Social Workers in Wisconsin earns a median salary of $66,910 per year. After adjusting for Wisconsin's cost of living (RPP=92.3), the real purchasing power is $72,491 — 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 Healthcare Social Workers in Wisconsin: $66,910 x (100 / 92.3) = $72,491. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Healthcare Social Workers in Wisconsin financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Healthcare Social Workers 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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