WI · Payroll tax 2026
The true cost of hiring in Wisconsin
Estimate what a W-2 employee costs in Wisconsin and compare it with a 1099 contract using sourced 2026 payroll-tax defaults that you can adjust to your assigned rate.
Estimate a Wisconsin hire
Pre-filled with a 2.5% base new-employer rate. Adjust SUI, salary, benefits, and the 1099 rate to fit your hire.
Results update instantly. Your values stay in this browser.
A W-2 hire in Wisconsin costs more than salary. Employers pay federal FICA and FUTA plus state unemployment insurance. For 2026, HiringMath uses a 2.5% base new-employer rate on the first $14,000 of wages, producing up to about $350 of state UI tax per worker before experience-rating or account-specific adjustments. Wisconsin taxes wage income, which creates a withholding obligation but is not an employer-paid tax. The calculator below combines those statutory items with editable benefits, workers' compensation, and overhead, then compares the result with a 1099 contract.
Wisconsin employer tax facts
| Item | WI |
|---|---|
| Base new-employer SUI rate | 2.5% |
| SUI taxable wage base | $14,000 |
| Federal FICA (employer) | 7.65% |
| FUTA | 0.6% |
| State income tax on wages | Yes |
| Worker classification test | Common-law control test |
Example: a $75,000 hire in Wisconsin
At a $75,000 base salary with typical benefits, a W-2 employee in Wisconsin costs an employer $99,430 per year — $24,430 above base pay. An equivalent 1099 contract at $75,000 would cost $24,430 less; the breakeven contract rate is $99,430.
Misclassification risk in Wisconsin
Test: Common-law control test
Common-law framework; back UI contributions and related exposure may apply.
Penalties by stateCompare nearby rates
Wisconsin's 2.5% new-employer SUI rate sits near Indiana (2.5%), Virginia (2.5%), Massachusetts (2.42%), Maryland (2.6%). See the full 51-state comparison or the 2026 employer payroll tax reference.
Common questions
Wisconsin hiring-cost FAQ
What SUI rate does HiringMath use for Wisconsin?
The calculator starts with a 2.5% base new-employer rate, applied to the first $14,000 of each employee's 2026 wages. Your assigned rate can differ because of industry, surcharges, and claims history, so replace the default with the rate on your state notice when available.
Does Wisconsin have a state income tax?
Yes. Wisconsin taxes wage income. Employers withhold it from employee pay, but it does not directly increase the employer's payroll-tax cost.
What should employers know about worker classification in Wisconsin?
Common-law framework; back UI contributions and related exposure may apply. This is a planning summary, not legal advice; confirm classification decisions with the relevant agency or counsel.