Salaries in Oshkosh, WI

If you think Oshkosh is just a quiet college town, you haven’t seen the job market in 2026. The city’s unemployment rate is a razor-tight 2.9%, and its top-paying jobs—like marketing managers earning $153,222—actually stretch further here than in most places. It’s a surprising pocket of Midwestern opportunity.

Let’s talk real purchasing power. With a cost of living index of 90.7 (that’s about 9% below the national average), your paycheck doesn’t get immediately drained. A one-bedroom apartment runs about $779 a month. That median household income of $62,155 feels more solid when you adjust for the local price of milk and gas. The COL-adjusted average salary here hits $75,361, meaning your money works noticeably harder than it would in, say, Chicago or Minneapolis.

So, who’s thriving? Beyond the obvious university crowd, Oshkosh is a hub for manufacturing, healthcare, and engineering. You’ve got big names like Oshkosh Corporation (the defense and specialty truck manufacturer) anchoring the region, plus a steady demand for skilled trades and tech roles. The city’s education stats—only 29% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher—mean there’s a real premium on specialized skills. If you’re in software development or project management, you’re not just needed; you’re valued.

Here’s the honest catch: wages are growing, but so are costs, just not as fast. The city’s affordability is a huge draw, but it’s not a secret anymore. Young professionals and remote workers looking to stretch their salary find a sweet spot here. For families, the equation changes—good schools matter more, and that’s where the budget gets tighter.

Below, you’ll see the raw numbers on top occupations, average salaries, and how they stack up against that all-important cost of living.