Introduction
Wisconsin may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of top technology hubs in the United States. States like California, Washington, New York and Massachusetts often dominate the conversation around the best places to pursue a tech career.
However, Wisconsin offers a surprisingly robust job market for technology professionals across a variety of sectors. Major companies like Epic Systems and Rockwell Automation, as well as emerging startups around Madison and Milwaukee, drive demand for talented developers, engineers, data scientists and more.
So while winters in Wisconsin can be notoriously cold, the career outlook and salaries for tech occupations run hot. From healthcare IT to manufacturing technology, Wisconsin leverages its existing assets and talent pipelines to create a range of well-compensated, promising technology roles.
In this article, we will countdown the 10 best paying tech jobs in Wisconsin, exploring typical responsibilities, required skills, average salaries and top state employers. We‘ll also provide tips on how to land these lucrative positions in Wisconsin‘s blossoming tech ecosystem.
#10 – Technical Consultant
Average Salary: $79,131
Technical consultants offer guidance to companies looking to solve business challenges through strategic implementations of technology. This requires both an understanding of emerging tech as well as the interpersonal skills need to translate solutions into tangible business value.
Responsibilities include:
- Evaluating existing technical infrastructure and identifying optimization opportunities
- Researching and staying up to date on new technologies/industry trends
- Developing proposals for new systems/solutions to achieve client goals
- Designing and configuring system architectures and technology frameworks
- Managing full life cycle of client projects
- Providing ongoing support after project completion
Skills Needed:
- Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities
- Excellent written/verbal communication skills
- Understanding of various systems and platforms
- Project management and resource coordination
- Client management and expectation setting
Top Wisconsin Employers:
- Slalom
- West Monroe Partners
- Nordic Consulting Partners
#9 – Cloud Engineer
Average Salary: $119,002
Cloud engineers architect and administer cloud computing systems and infrastructure that allows organizations to host applications, store data, and deliver services through the internet. As more companies adopt cloud-first strategies, cloud engineers have become highly sought after and well-compensated.
Responsibilities include:
- Designing and implementing cloud architecture, policies and processes
- Migrating data and applications from legacy infrastructure to the cloud
- Managing cloud costs, capacity planning and resource utilization
- Automating infrastructure management processes through scripting
- Continuously monitoring and optimizing cloud performance
Skills Needed:
- Experience with platforms like AWS, Azure, Google Cloud
- Understanding of networking, storage, security etc.
- Scripting skills (Python, Bash etc.)
- Resource provisioning and access control
- Monitoring tools (Datadog, New Relic etc.)
Top Wisconsin Employers:
- Epic Systems
- Rockwell Automation
- Flexion
#8 – Data Scientist
Average Salary: $121,924
Data scientists utilize a variety of skills to extract valuable insights from large, complex data sets. As data becomes an increasingly important enterprise asset, demand for data experts continues rising significantly.
Responsibilities include:
- Collecting, cleaning and organizing data from various structured and unstructured sources
- Performing statistical analysis and developing machine learning models to derive meaningful patterns from data
- Designing and running experiments, A/B tests and simulations using data
- Interpreting data and presenting findings to stakeholders using visualizations and reporting techniques
- Creating data pipelines and architectures for ongoing analysis
Skills Needed:
- Expertise in languages like Python, R and SQL
- Understanding of statistical principles and modeling techniques
- Machine learning frameworks (TensorFlow etc.)
- Data visualization tools like Tableau
- Communication and storytelling abilities
Top Wisconsin Employers:
- Epic Systems
- American Family Insurance
- Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors
#7 – IT Project Manager
Average Salary: $78,763
Technology focused project managers collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive major IT initiatives from conception to completion. Their blend of technical knowledge and leadership abilities keep projects on budget and on schedule.
Responsibilities include:
- Working with stakeholders to define project scope and objectives
- Creating detailed project plans, schedules and milestones
- Assembling project teams and coordinating task assignments
- Managing budgets and tracking project costs
- Monitoring progress and adjusting plans as needed
- Reporting on KPIs and metrics to executives
- Identifying and resolving issues and roadblocks
Skills Needed:
- Understanding of SDLC processes and infrastructure
- Budgeting and resource management
- Risk assessment and contingency planning
- Technical documentation
- Team leadership and conflict resolution
Top Wisconsin Employers
- Kohl‘s Department Stores
- Rockwell Automation
- Madison Gas & Electric
#6 – Network Architect
Average Salary: $97,312
Network architects design, build and administer communication networks like LANs, WANs, Wi-Fi networks, intranets and more. They establish network infrastructures capable of securely supporting an organization‘s connectivity needs.
Responsibilities include:
- Discussing business requirements and design network solutions to meet them
- Selecting hardware/software platforms and technology vendors
- Overseeing network deployment projects from planning to rollout
- Performing ongoing network expansion and updates
- Establishing network security standards and policies
- Monitoring traffic, utilization and performance
Skills Needed:
- Expertise with network protocols like TCP/IP
- Familiarity with routers, switches, firewalls etc.
- Understanding of network virtualization and SDN
- Knowledge of wireless networking standards
- Network security best practices
Top Wisconsin Employers
- University of Wisconsin
- Epic Systems
- American Family Insurance
#5 – Database Administrator
Average Salary: $77,515
Database administrators (DBAs) oversee an organization‘s critical data assets hosted in database management systems. They ensure optimal uptime and performance of business-critical platforms handling data transactions and storage.
Responsibilities include:
- Installing, configuring and upgrading database servers
- Applying security measures for access control and data protection
- Writing database scripts to update records or create custom queries
- Performance tuning databases for speed and scalability
- Backing up and restoring data as needed
- Troubleshooting database issues and outages
- Modeling and redesigning database architecture
Skills Needed:
- Understanding of RDBMS like SQL Server, Oracle etc.
- Experience with NoSQL databases like MongoDB
- Administering cloud data platforms like AWS RDS
- Scripting languages like SQL, PL/SQL, Python
- Performance benchmarking and optimization
Top Wisconsin Employers:
- Epic Systems
- Rockwell Automation
- Kohl‘s Department Stores
#4 – Information Security Analyst
Average Salary: $96,646
Information security analysts protect some of an organization‘s most vital assets in today‘s world – their data and systems. Cyberattacks and digital security threats continue rising across sectors, leading to major demand for qualified analysts.
Responsibilities include:
- Monitoring networks to detect security breaches and hacking attempts
- Performing vulnerability testing and risk assessments
- Implementing security solutions like firewalls and encryption
- Defining and upholding security policies/procedures
- Educating employees on best security practices
- Investigating security events and compiling incident reports
- Recommending improvements to strengthen defenses
Skills Needed:
- Understanding of network protocols and system architectures
- Knowledge of programming, OS concepts and scripting
- Tools like SIEMs, firewalls, VPNs etc.
- Security frameworks like ISO 27001, NIST CSF etc.
- Analytical thinking and attention to detail
Top Wisconsin Employers
- Northwestern Mutual
- American Family Insurance
- CUNA Mutual Group
#3 – Software Quality Assurance Engineer
Average Salary: $85,186
Software quality assurance (QA) engineers develop and execute test plans throughout the software development life cycle to catch defects before they impact customers. Rigorous testing by QA ensures companies ship high-quality, reliable software.
Responsibilities include:
- Reviewing requirements and specifications documents
- Creating test plans, cases and scripts to cover all aspects of a system
- Executing tests, documenting results, logging defects
- Analyzing test coverage and gaps
- Recommending improvements to development processes
Skills Needed:
- Understanding of SDLC methodologies
- Defect tracking tools like Jira
- Test automation frameworks like Selenium
- Programming and scripting ability
- Understanding of installation and configuration
Top Wisconsin Employers:
- Epic Systems
- Rockwell Automation
- Broadsign
#2 – Computer Systems Analyst
Average Salary: $72,360
Computer systems analysts assess an organization‘s technology infrastructure and business processes to recommend solutions to enhance efficiency, productivity and profitability. Aligning technology capabilities with business objectives is key.
Responsibilities include:
- Studying an organization‘s tech systems and workflows
- Uncovering pain points and inefficiencies
- Performing cost-benefit analysis on upgrades
- Outlining requirements for new systems and modifications
- Overseeing system implementation and end-user support
Skills Needed:
- Process analysis and design methodologies
- System testing and implementation planning
- Project management principles
- Industry best practices and trends
- Budget and ROI analysis
Top Wisconsin Employers:
- Kohl‘s Department Stores
- Northwestern Mutual
- Rockwell Automation
#1 – Software Engineer
Average Salary: $99,691
Software engineers design, develop and maintain the applications, tools and systems that power modern organizations. Wisconsin has a particularly strong need for engineering talent driven by major healthcare companies as well as corporate IT demand.
Responsibilities include:
- Understanding software requirements from business stakeholders
- Designing architecture and interfaces
- Writing, testing and debugging code in languages like Java, Python etc.
- Integrating components and building pipelines
- Deploying software across environments
- Identifying production issues and resolving defects
- Improving software reliability and performance
Skills Needed:
- Object oriented programming languages
- Web frameworks like React, Angular, Django etc.
- Cloud platforms like AWS and Azure
- Agile methodologies
- Databases like MongoDB, SQL Server
Top Wisconsin Employers:
- Epic Systems
- Rockwell Automation
- Discover Financial
How to Land a Top Paying Tech Job in Wisconsin
The demand for skilled technology professionals makes Wisconsin‘s job market highly competitive. Follow these expert tips to stand out and land one of the state‘s best tech jobs:
1. Specialize in high-demand skills
Identify growing fields like healthcare IT, data science, cybersecurity etc. and pursue specialized training through certifications, online courses etc. These skills will give you an advantage.
2. Expand your professional network
Attend local tech networking events, join professional associations like the Wisconsin Technology Council and connect with professionals employed by target companies.
3. Craft a compelling resume
Tailor and customize your resume using keywords from each job description. Quantify accomplishments and highlights skills relevant to the role.
4. Prepare thoroughly for interviews
Study the company so you understand challenges they are facing. Rehearse responding to common technical and behavioral interview questions.
5. Consider reputable staffing agencies
Specialized technical staffing agencies often have connections with clients hiring for technology roles across sectors. They allow you to access opportunities not yet advertised.
The Outlook for Tech Careers in Wisconsin
While Wisconsin has not historically been considered a top location for technology professionals compared to coastal tech hubs, its job market has grown steadily stronger, buoyed by record-levels of venture capital investment into the state in recent years.
With highly-ranked universities like the University of Wisconsin-Madison producing exceptional engineering talent, and major corporations like Epic Systems, Rockwell Automation and others hungry for workers, those seeking rewarding technology careers should keep Wisconsin firmly on their radars.
The state offers the added benefit of significantly more affordable cost of living compared to major metros, helping compensate for taxes. And outdoor enthusiasts will find abundant natural beauty across the state year-round to enjoy when not coding or developing new architectures.
So while winters in Wisconsin might be cold, tech salaries and job growth remain hot. The cheese state delivers substantial opportunities for motivated technologists looking to advance their careers while discovering the famous midwestern warmth.
