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Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic Salary in Wisconsin: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic 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
$52,150
Median annual (2025)
+8.3%
Real Purchasing Power
$56,500
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 Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic earning $52,150 in Wisconsin has the equivalent purchasing power of $56,500 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) $47,850 $51,841 +$3,991
25th Percentile (P25) $49,070 $53,163 +$4,093
Median (P50) $52,150 $56,500 +$4,350
75th Percentile (P75) $72,510 $78,559 +$6,049
90th Percentile (P90) $75,850 $82,177 +$6,327
Key Insight

A Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic in Wisconsin earns $52,150 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 8% further — like earning $56,500 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 Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic, 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 $52,150 median salary translates to $56,501 in real terms — a 8.3% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic.

Below-Median Adjusted Pay

#8 / 12

Wisconsin's rank of #8 of 12 states means real purchasing power for Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic trails the national half-way line.

Best States for Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic (After Cost of Living)

Where does Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Ohio
$106,765
RPP 91.5
$76,663
RPP 97.7
3. Iowa
$71,742
RPP 88.4
4. Alabama
$70,945
RPP 87.8
5. Indiana
$59,629
RPP 91.8
$59,606
RPP 109.4
$57,580
RPP 93.4
$56,500
RPP 92.3
$56,288
RPP 96.2
$54,462
RPP 109.8

Wisconsin ranks #8 out of 12 states for Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic take-home pay in Wisconsin after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic in Wisconsin after cost of living?

A Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic in Wisconsin earns a median salary of $52,150 per year. After adjusting for Wisconsin's cost of living (RPP=92.3), the real purchasing power is $56,500 — 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 Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic in Wisconsin: $52,150 x (100 / 92.3) = $56,500. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic in Wisconsin financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic 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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