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Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing Salary in Wisconsin: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing 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
$44,450
Median annual (2025)
+8.3%
Real Purchasing Power
$48,158
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 Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing earning $44,450 in Wisconsin has the equivalent purchasing power of $48,158 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) $35,430 $38,385 +$2,955
25th Percentile (P25) $37,570 $40,704 +$3,134
Median (P50) $44,450 $48,158 +$3,708
75th Percentile (P75) $47,680 $51,657 +$3,977
90th Percentile (P90) $55,170 $59,772 +$4,602
Key Insight

A Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing in Wisconsin earns $44,450 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 8% further — like earning $48,158 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 Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing, 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 $44,450 median salary translates to $48,158 in real terms — a 8.3% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#12 / 47

Wisconsin sits at #12 of 47 states for Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing (After Cost of Living)

Where does Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Iowa
$57,918
RPP 88.4
$54,777
RPP 89.8
$52,753
RPP 97.7
$52,064
RPP 90.6
$51,657
RPP 88.7
$51,049
RPP 93.4
7. Montana
$50,509
RPP 90.3
8. Idaho
$49,814
RPP 91.8
9. Kansas
$48,422
RPP 90.0
$48,251
RPP 109.8

Wisconsin ranks #12 out of 47 states for Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing take-home pay in Wisconsin after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing in Wisconsin after cost of living?

A Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing in Wisconsin earns a median salary of $44,450 per year. After adjusting for Wisconsin's cost of living (RPP=92.3), the real purchasing power is $48,158 — 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 Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing in Wisconsin: $44,450 x (100 / 92.3) = $48,158. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing in Wisconsin financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing 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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