How much does a Police Officer make in Wisconsin?

BLS puts the average Police Officer pay in Wisconsin at $76,560 a year (BLS, May 2025). On that pay in Wisconsin, after federal taxes, FICA, and Wisconsin state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $59,654 annually ($4,971/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Police Officer in Wisconsin?

On a $76,560 salary in Wisconsin, your take-home pay is approximately $59,654/year or $4,971/month. Federal tax: $8,013. State tax: $3,036. FICA: $5,857.

Is $76,560 a good Police Officer salary?

$76,560 is the BLS average Police Officer pay in Wisconsin, 3% below the US average of $79,200 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 50% in Wisconsin earn between $67,450 and $84,850.

How do Wisconsin taxes affect Police Officer salaries?

Wisconsin levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $76,560 is $3,036. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 22.1%.

What are the career growth prospects for Police Officers?

In Wisconsin, the top 10% earn over $94,450 and the bottom 10% under $58,530 (BLS, May 2025). 3% growth through 2032 (about as fast as average). Related roles include: Detective, Sergeant, State Trooper, Sheriff Deputy, Federal Agent.

How can a Police Officer in Wisconsin reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Public Safety

Police Officer Salary in Wisconsin (2026)

Average Police Officer pay in Wisconsin

$76,560/year

≈ $37/hour before tax

Middle 50% earn $67,450–$84,850

US average: $79,200

Source: BLS, May 2025

After tax (single filer)

$59,654/year

$4,971/month · effective tax rate 22.08%

Federal $8,013
State $3,036
FICA $5,857
Take-home

Pay by role in Wisconsin

Sergeant / Lieutenant / Captain (Milwaukee metro)BLS · Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI · middle 50%$96,210–$120,600
Senior Patrol / Specialty OfficerBLS · 75th–90th percentile$84,850–$94,450
Detective / InvestigatorBLS · middle 50%$78,700–$97,120
Senior Patrol / Specialty Officer (Milwaukee metro)BLS · Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI · 75th–90th percentile$92,710–$93,710
Patrol Officer / Trooper / DeputyBLS · middle 50%$67,450–$84,850
Recruit / Probationary OfficerBLS · 10th–25th percentile$58,530–$67,450

See all 7 roles with notes

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$59,654
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$4,971
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$2,294
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$29/hr
Federal Tax	$8,013
State Tax	$3,036
FICA Taxes	$5,857
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	22.08%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all Police Officers earn the same — not even close

Wisconsin's police officer market is anchored by Milwaukee Police Department MPD (~1,650 sworn officers + the largest WI municipal police department + the substantial Milwaukee post-2020 reform + IACP CALEA accreditation), Wisconsin State Patrol WSP (~500 sworn troopers + the only WI statewide police agency + WSP Highway Safety + WSP Bureau of Investigative Services + WSP Air Support Unit + WSP K-9), Dane County Sheriff's Office Madison (~600 sworn + the second-largest WI sheriff's office + Madison metro + UW-Madison campus), Madison Police Department (~480 sworn + the substantial Madison + UW-Madison + state capital campus + CALEA accreditation), Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office (~500 sworn + corrections + court services + civil process), Brown County Sheriff's Office Green Bay + Green Bay PD, Waukesha County Sheriff + Waukesha PD, Racine PD + Kenosha PD (post-2020 Jacob Blake event), plus substantial federal law enforcement at FBI Milwaukee + DEA Milwaukee + ATF + USMS + ICE + the substantial Marinette Marine NCIS + USCG Sector Lake Michigan.

Sergeant / Lieutenant / Captain (Milwaukee metro)

$96,210–$120,600

Senior officer + sergeant at MPD · WRS pension + Act 10 public-safety collective bargaining carve-out

Source: BLS May 2025 · First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives · Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI · middle 50%

Senior Patrol / Specialty Officer

$84,850–$94,450

Senior trooper at WSP · Highway Safety + Bureau of Investigative Services + Air Support

Source: BLS May 2025 · Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers · Wisconsin · 75th–90th percentile

Detective / Investigator

$78,700–$97,120

Senior detective at MPD + WSP + Dane SO + Madison PD · investigations + casework + WRS premium

Source: BLS May 2025 · Detectives and Criminal Investigators · Wisconsin · middle 50%

Senior Patrol / Specialty Officer (Milwaukee metro)

$92,710–$93,710

Senior officer at Waukesha + Brookfield + Mequon + Whitefish Bay + the substantial Milwaukee suburb

Source: BLS May 2025 · Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers · Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI · 75th–90th percentile

Patrol Officer / Trooper / Deputy

$67,450–$84,850

Mid-career officer · WRS pension Tier 2/3 membership · WI LESB certified

Source: BLS May 2025 · Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers · Wisconsin · middle 50%

Recruit / Probationary Officer

$58,530–$67,450

New officer · post-academy + field training · WI LESB certified · WRS at hire

Source: BLS May 2025 · Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers · Wisconsin · 10th–25th percentile

Corrections Officer

$84,990–$92,140

Senior corrections at WI DOC + Waupun + Green Bay + Dodge + Columbia + the substantial WI DOC

Source: BLS May 2025 · Correctional Officers and Jailers · Wisconsin · 75th–90th percentile

Worth knowing: Wisconsin Retirement System WRS + WI Act 10 public-safety collective bargaining carve-out is the structural foundation of WI career police compensation and a distinctive WI police officer feature most national surveys understate. WRS (the WI statewide public pension covering ~650K active + retired members + ~$130B AUM + the substantial WRS as the country's substantial US best-funded major public pension + ~100% funded ratio + the substantial WRS dividend adjustments + the substantial WRS Core + Variable Fund structure + the substantial post-2003 WRS reforms + Tier 1 + Tier 2 + Tier 3 protective member structure) provides defined-benefit retirement for WI police at the protective formula 2.165% × years × FAS multiplier (the substantial WI public-safety formula appreciably more generous than WRS general member 1.6% multiplier) — supporting career police retirement after 25-30 years. WI Act 10 of 2011 (the substantial Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill + the substantial Walker public-sector collective bargaining curtailment for most state + local employees) carved out public-safety employees (police + fire + State Patrol) from the bargaining restrictions — WI police continue to collectively bargain on wages + benefits while non-protective public employees cannot. Wisconsin Professional Police Association WPPA + Milwaukee Police Association MPA + Wisconsin State Police Association WSPA + International Union of Police Associations IUPA operate substantial WI public-safety collective bargaining. WI RTW since 2015 (Act 1 of 2015 private sector RTW) does NOT affect WI public-safety bargaining preserved under Act 10. Post-2020 Milwaukee + Madison + Kenosha (post-Jacob Blake event) + the substantial WI metro recruitment + retention challenges drove substantial signing bonus + retention bonus + lateral transfer incentives. The 2025 No Tax on Overtime federal deduction applies through 2028 — WI OBBBA OT applies to officer overtime + detail . WI progressive top 7.65% + no state estate tax (repealed 2008) + WI Act 10 + WRS best-funded major US pension anchor the WI police officer proposition.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Police Officers in Wisconsin and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and Wisconsin 2026 state rates. Local taxes, insurance premiums, and pre-tax contributions will move your number — run the calculator for your own situation.

Run your own numbers