Wisconsin minimum wage: $7.25/hr (2026)
📊 Wisconsin Income Tax Overview 2026
Wisconsin uses a Progressive: 3.5%–7.65% income tax system. See the wage table below for common take-home pay amounts.
| Taxable Income (Single) | CA Tax Rate | Tax on Bracket |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $10,412 | 1.0% | up to $104 |
| $10,413 – $24,684 | 2.0% | up to $285 |
| $24,685 – $38,959 | 4.0% | up to $571 |
| $38,960 – $54,081 | 6.0% | up to $907 |
| $54,082 – $68,350 | 8.0% | up to $1,141 |
| $68,351 – $349,137 | 9.3% | up to $26,139 |
| $349,138 – $418,961 | 10.3% | up to $7,192 |
| $418,962 – $698,274 | 11.3% | up to $31,560 |
| $698,275+ | 13.3% | highest bracket |
Source: WI Dept of Revenue · 2026. Progressive: 3.5%–7.65%.
💵 Common Hourly Wages — Wisconsin After-Tax
Here's what various hourly wages look like after Wisconsin taxes (single filer, 2026):
| Hourly Rate | Annual Gross | CA State Tax | Take-Home/yr | Take-Home/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $17/hr | $35,360 | ~$618 | ~$28,100 | ~$2,342 |
| $20/hr | $41,600 | ~$935 | ~$32,600 | ~$2,717 |
| $22/hr | $45,760 | ~$1,155 | ~$35,400 | ~$2,950 |
| $25/hr | $52,000 | ~$1,614 | ~$39,800 | ~$3,317 |
| $30/hr | $62,400 | ~$2,450 | ~$47,300 | ~$3,942 |
| $35/hr | $72,800 | ~$3,350 | ~$54,500 | ~$4,542 |
| $40/hr | $83,200 | ~$4,260 | ~$61,400 | ~$5,117 |
| $50/hr | $104,000 | ~$6,450 | ~$75,200 | ~$6,267 |
🏙️ Wisconsin Major Cities — Wages & Cost of Living 2026
Here's a cost of living overview for major Wisconsin cities:
📖 California Tax Guide for Workers 2026
California State Income Tax
California uses a progressive income tax system with 9 brackets (1%–13.3%). Unlike federal taxes, California has a relatively low standard deduction of $5,202 for single filers in 2026, meaning more of your income is subject to state tax compared to federal tax.
State Disability Insurance (SDI)
California workers pay SDI at 0.9% of gross wages with no wage ceiling since January 2024. SDI provides short-term disability benefits and Paid Family Leave (PFL) — you may be eligible to receive up to 60–70% of your wages if you need to take time off for a qualifying disability or family reason.
California vs. No-Tax States
Compared to Texas or Florida (0% state tax), a California worker earning $52,000/year pays approximately $2,100–$2,500 more in state taxes annually. However, California offers benefits including disability insurance, paid family leave, strong worker protections, and higher minimum wages.
California Overtime Law
California has stricter overtime rules than federal law: overtime (1.5× rate) applies after 8 hours in a single day (not just 40 hours/week). Double time (2× rate) applies after 12 hours in a day or after 8 hours on the 7th consecutive day worked. This can significantly increase take-home for hourly workers who work long days.
California COLA & Living Wage
California has the highest cost of living of any U.S. state. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in Los Angeles needs ~$30–35/hr to meet basic needs without government assistance. In San Francisco, the equivalent is closer to $38–42/hr. A $17/hr minimum wage, while the highest state minimum in the U.S., still falls short of a true living wage in California's major cities.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Wisconsin's minimum wage is the federal minimum of $7.25/hour. Wisconsin has not raised its state minimum above the federal rate. Milwaukee and Madison do not have separate city minimums. This is very low relative to Wisconsin's cost of living.
Wisconsin has a progressive income tax from 3.5% to 7.65%: 3.5% on income up to $13,810 (after standard deduction), 4.4% to $27,620, 5.3% to $304,170, and 7.65% above $304,170. Standard deduction starts at $13,660 for single filers.
$25/hr (~$3,317/month after WI taxes) is comfortable in most Wisconsin cities. Milwaukee 1-bedrooms average $1,000–$1,600, Madison $1,200–$1,900, Green Bay $800–$1,200. Wisconsin offers good value for workers — quality of life is high relative to cost. Most financial advisors recommend budgeting 30% of take-home for housing (~$988/month) — which is very difficult in coastal CA metros at $25/hr.
No — Wisconsin has no mandatory state disability insurance or paid family leave. Workers should look into employer-provided short-term disability plans. Wisconsin does have strong unemployment insurance and workers' compensation programs.
At $52,000/year, Wisconsin workers (~4.4% effective) take home ~$39,800 vs Minnesota workers (~5.35% effective) ~$38,400. Wisconsin workers keep about $1,400 more per year in state taxes. However, Minnesota's minimum wage ($11.13) is significantly higher than Wisconsin's ($7.25). These rules apply to most non-exempt employees regardless of industry.