๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 92 โ€” Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Green Bay, WI

What every job actually pays โ€” cost-of-living adjusted

Updated: February 2026 ยท 40 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$67,466
across 40 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$73,253
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Marketing Manager
$153,884
1BR Rent
$841
median monthly

You'd be wrong to think of Green Bay as just a football town with a side hustle. The real story here is a surprisingly robust job market hiding in plain sight, with an unemployment rate of just 2.9% that tells you something's clicking.

Let's talk real dollars. With a cost of living index of 92.1โ€”meaning everything's about 8% cheaper than the national averageโ€”your paycheck goes noticeably further. That median household income of $66,950 feels more like $73,000 when you factor in the low cost of living. A one-bedroom apartment averaging $841 a month is a financial relief valve you just don't get in most cities this size.

So who's winning here? Itโ€™s not just the Packers. Youโ€™ve got major regional players like Bellin Health and Schreiber Foods anchoring the healthcare and food production sectors. But the real surprise is the tech and professional services growth. The median salary here is $67,466, but for the top earnersโ€”think marketing managers and software developersโ€”adjusted salaries push past $130,000. Thatโ€™s serious purchasing power in a place where your housing costs are so low.

Hereโ€™s my honest take: Green Bay works beautifully if youโ€™re in the right fields. The catch is that the lower-wage sectors havenโ€™t kept pace with the cost-of-living creep, even here. Itโ€™s a fantastic city for skilled professionals, but you need to be in one of those top-paying roles to truly feel the financial advantage.

The data below breaks down exactly where those opportunities are and what you can expect to earn.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Green Bay

Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.

๐Ÿฅ‡ -2% vs national

Marketing Manager

$153,884
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $167,084
โฑ Hourly $73.98/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 211
๐Ÿฅˆ -2% vs national

Pharmacist

$132,806
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $144,198
โฑ Hourly $63.85/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth -3.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 211
๐Ÿฅ‰ -2% vs national

Software Developer

$124,243
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $134,900
โฑ Hourly $59.73/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 634
4๏ธโƒฃ -2% vs national

Construction Manager

$105,645
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $114,707
โฑ Hourly $50.79/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 211
5๏ธโƒฃ -2% vs national

Project Manager

$98,879
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $107,360
โฑ Hourly $47.54/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 211

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 40 Occupations in Green Bay

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (92/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is below the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Marketing Manager $153,884
2 Pharmacist $132,806
3 Software Developer $124,243
4 Construction Manager $105,645
5 Project Manager $98,879
6 Physical Therapist $97,346
7 Financial Analyst $96,663
8 Web Developer $90,551
9 Dental Hygienist $85,455
10 Accountant $84,039
11 Registered Nurse $84,030
12 Data Analyst $81,384
13 Police Officer $73,134
14 Human Resources Specialist $66,046
15 Elementary School Teacher $62,161
16 Plumber $61,848
17 Paralegal $61,262
18 Electrician $60,091
19 Real Estate Agent $60,022
20 Graphic Designer $59,886
21 Firefighter $55,766
22 Carpenter $55,570
23 HVAC Technician $54,350
24 Heavy Truck Driver $51,831
25 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $48,815
26 Loan Officer $48,815
27 Veterinary Technician $48,815
28 Pharmacy Technician $48,815
29 Dental Assistant $48,815
30 Insurance Agent $48,815
31 Nail Technician $48,815
32 Personal Trainer $48,815
33 Cosmetologist $48,815
34 Chef/Head Cook $48,815
35 Social Worker $48,815
36 Auto Mechanic $48,815
37 Welder $48,414
38 Medical Assistant $37,363
39 Security Guard $35,283
40 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $34,912

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Green Bay

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$841/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,055/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$270,000
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
2.9%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$66,950
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
27%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
45/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
92
Below Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Green Bay?

Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Green Bay. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.

โ“ Green Bay Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Green Bay, WI?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Green Bay is $67,466 (2026). This is slightly below the median household income of $66,950, indicating a tight local wage distribution.

What jobs pay the most in Green Bay?

โ–ผ
The highest-paying role is Marketing Manager at $153,884. This is 2.3 times the average salary across 40 occupations, highlighting a significant premium for leadership roles.

Is Green Bay affordable on a Marketing Manager salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Marketing Manager salary of $153,884 is highly affordable in Green Bay. With a Cost of Living Index of 92.1 and 1BR rent at $841/month, housing costs are only ~6.6% of gross monthly income.

How does Green Bay's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
Green Bay's COL Index of 92.1 means your paycheck has 7.9% more purchasing power than the national average. For example, a $67,466 salary here feels like $72,766 nationally.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Green Bay?

โ–ผ
A comfortable living salary in Green Bay is approximately $55,000-$60,000 annually. This covers the 1BR rent of $841/month plus other expenses while staying below the area's median household income of $66,950.

๐Ÿ“ Editor's Verdict: Is Green Bay Worth It?

Bottom line: Green Bay is a financial yes, but not for everyone. With an average salary of $67,466 and a cost-of-living index of 92.1, your money stretches further than in most citiesโ€”especially when rent is averaging $841/month. The standout here is marketing: itโ€™s the rare field where you can earn top-tier pay ($153,884) while enjoying a better quality of life, even after adjusting for COL ($167,084). For the right person, thatโ€™s a sweet spot.

Who wins here? Skilled trades, healthcare workers, and marketing pros. Tech salaries lag behind what youโ€™ll find in larger metros, so if youโ€™re a developer chasing a big payday, you might feel shortchanged. But if youโ€™re in healthcare or the trades, demand is steady and your paycheck goes a lot further.

My advice: Line up a job before you pack. Green Bayโ€™s job market is stable, but itโ€™s not huge. If you have a solid offer in hand, youโ€™ll do wellโ€”just donโ€™t expect to hop jobs easily if things donโ€™t work out.

Explore Green Bay Further