Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters Salary in Wisconsin: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters 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
$56,310
Median annual (2025)
+8.3%
Real Purchasing Power
$61,007
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 Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters earning $56,310 in Wisconsin has the equivalent purchasing power of $61,007 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) $40,670 $44,062 +$3,392
25th Percentile (P25) $48,000 $52,004 +$4,004
Median (P50) $56,310 $61,007 +$4,697
75th Percentile (P75) $59,860 $64,853 +$4,993
90th Percentile (P90) $66,050 $71,560 +$5,510
Key Insight

A Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters in Wisconsin earns $56,310 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 8% further — like earning $61,007 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 Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters, 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 $56,310 median salary translates to $61,008 in real terms — a 8.3% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters.

Top-Quartile Adjusted Earnings in Wisconsin

#7 / 47

Ranked on COL-adjusted median pay for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters, Wisconsin places #7 of 47 states — top quartile. Either nominal wages run high, cost of living runs low, or both.

Best States for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters (After Cost of Living)

Where does Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Indiana
$65,555
RPP 91.8
2. Maine
$64,246
RPP 100.8
3. Idaho
$63,333
RPP 91.8
4. Alaska
$62,176
RPP 102.0
$61,800
RPP 89.4
$61,364
RPP 88.7
$61,007
RPP 92.3
8. Alabama
$59,476
RPP 87.8
$58,847
RPP 91.1
10. Oregon
$58,367
RPP 106.6

Wisconsin ranks #7 out of 47 states for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters take-home pay in Wisconsin after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters in Wisconsin after cost of living?

A Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters in Wisconsin earns a median salary of $56,310 per year. After adjusting for Wisconsin's cost of living (RPP=92.3), the real purchasing power is $61,007 — 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 Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters in Wisconsin: $56,310 x (100 / 92.3) = $61,007. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters in Wisconsin financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters 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.

What To Do Next

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Related Salary Pages

Get Monthly Salary Insights & Career Data

Free data-driven career updates — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Join career-minded Americans who use data to make smarter decisions. Privacy Policy