City Town Info

Wausau Employment

Employment and Industries in the Wausau, Wisconsin Area

Wausau is the economic hub of north central Wisconsin. Manufacturing is a major asset to the Wausau area's economy. Some of the integral economic sectors are healthcare, tourism, banking, insurance and professional services. Food processing, especially cheese, also adds to the economy.

Some of the region's largest manufacturing employers are Greenheck Fan Corp, Kolbe & Kolbe Millworks Inc and Wausau Paper Corp. Employment is provided by businesses that produce items such as electric motors, wood and paper products, scissors, windows and doors, home manufacturing and ventilation equipment.

The top fields of employment in Wausau, Wisconsin are healthcare, manufacturing, finance and insurance, metal and metal products, paper, educational services, wood products and accommodation and food services.

Management, professional and related occupations (29% of the labor force). Sales and office occupations (27% of the jobs). Production, transportation and material moving occupations (18% of the workforce).

The Wausau region's major manufacturing employers:

  • Greenheck Fan Corp - Industrial commercial fans
  • Kolbe & Kolbe Millworks Inc - Wood windows and doors
  • Wausau Paper Corp - Pulp, paper & specialties
  • Marathon Cheese Corp - Cheese packaging
  • Marathon Electric Manufacturing Corp - Electric AC motors & generators
  • SNE/Peachtree - Wood & vinyl windows & doors
  • County Materials Corp - Concrete and architectural block
  • Wausau Window & Wall Systems - Aluminum widows, curtain wall systems
  • Land O'Lakes Inc - Cheese Division - Cheese packaging
  • Abbyland Foods Inc - Meat packaging

The Wausau region's major non-manufacturing employers:

  • Aspirus Wausau Hospital - Healthcare
  • Wausau School District - Education
  • Liberty Mutual Insurance
  • Footlocker.com/Eastbay - Retail/mail order
  • Northcentral Health Care - Healthcare
  • Marathon County Government - Government
  • UMR/Fiserv Health/Wausau Benefits Inc - Benefits administration
  • Marshfield Clinic - Wausau Center - Healthcare
  • DC Everest School District - Education
  • St. Clare's Hospital/Ministry Health - Healthcare

Facts regarding Wausau, Wisconsin: Average earnings in 2009: $29,000. Cost of living in 2008: 79.0 (U.S. average: 100). Adult residents holding a bachelor's degree or better: 22%

Businesses located in Wausau have access to helpful associations such as:

The Wausau Daily Herald provides current information about local business activities.

Most Popular Jobs in Wausau, Wisconsin Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses1,25061,120$45,920 - 80,75024%56%
2Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products1,06053,230$18,600 - 99,0608%51%
3Elementary school teachers, except special education49049,930$33,340 - 67,16014%95%
4Accountants and auditors44059,380$37,050 - 83,51018%79%
5Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other28036,410$14,430 - 68,21017%56%
6Computer systems analysts28063,940$41,680 - 92,19029%68%
7Computer software engineers, applications25070,220$54,370 - 90,73045%85%
8Financial managers23096,440$55,250 - 150,17013%60%
9Sales managers20085,480$43,770 - 134,04010%69%
10Computer programmers19053,820$29,960 - 84,9100%73%
11Mechanical engineers19063,780$45,040 - 82,4804%78%
12Management analysts18065,000$41,980 - 88,51022%78%
13Industrial engineers18068,280$47,100 - 97,58020%74%
14Civil engineers18056,950$39,970 - 76,97018%87%
15Lawyers170127,760$38,300 - 11%99%
16Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products16072,450$43,100 - 112,26012%51%
17Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education16049,990$33,860 - 73,33011%95%
18Network and computer systems administrators14057,330$38,990 - 75,70027%50%
19Financial analysts14063,420$36,800 - 92,20034%87%
20Legislators13016,160$14,150 - 16,3501%65%
21Graphic designers13035,530$22,440 - 52,13010%55%
22Chief executives120157,650$72,270 - 2%65%
23Commercial and industrial designers11055,310$33,720 - 88,0207%55%
24Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents10041,550$15,510 - 81,68025%67%
25Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation10051,510$34,190 - 77,5805%58%
26Computer and information systems managers10090,800$62,650 - 129,39016%73%
27Medical and health services managers10080,800$55,790 - 109,61016%57%
28Advertising sales agents9040,680$16,770 - 71,94020%56%
29Managers, all other9080,370$46,570 - 130,4507%55%
30Engineering managers9085,940$58,300 - 120,4007%84%
31Market research analysts8056,680$31,010 - 84,63020%82%
32Credit analysts8052,720$31,920 - 97,7502%60%
33Pharmacists80110,620$91,070 - 134,74022%97%
34Training and development specialists8050,030$34,030 - 69,27018%56%
35Network systems and data communications analysts8064,830$45,360 - 92,66053%57%
36Public relations specialists8053,370$33,560 - 89,40018%81%
37Insurance underwriters7061,080$35,440 - 94,5906%53%
38Physical therapists7062,030$16,050 - 94,06027%89%
39Medical and clinical laboratory technologists7055,180$42,820 - 67,34012%51%
40Database administrators7070,760$41,410 - 101,62029%72%
41Teachers and instructors, all other7029,300$21,280 - 40,8009%54%
42Personal financial advisors6068,410$38,950 - 102,58041%81%
43Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other6037,710$25,740 - 42,96015%72%
44Floral designers6019,940$14,870 - 28,1200%55%
45Financial specialists, all other5053,940$35,520 - 72,20012%50%
46Marketing managers5096,860$29,460 - 160,61014%69%
47Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists5050,360$35,780 - 67,81018%56%
48Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists5042,020$27,500 - 59,79018%56%
49Medical and public health social workers5050,320$33,620 - 64,71024%77%
50Sales and related workers, all other5038,180$17,360 - 49,92014%62%
51Social and community service managers4039,090$21,720 - 67,47025%72%
52Education administrators, elementary and secondary school4083,010$68,610 - 102,4908%78%
53Veterinarians4075,870$56,710 - 99,23035%100%
54Electrical engineers4068,100$43,870 - 88,5406%81%
55Medical and clinical laboratory technicians4041,520$34,170 - 50,86015%51%
56Educational, vocational, and school counselors4054,390$39,200 - 76,87013%73%
57Occupational therapists3058,070$46,340 - 67,97023%90%
58Librarians3054,810$42,010 - 75,9104%85%
59Mental health counselors3047,500$29,200 - 63,70030%73%
60Electronics engineers, except computer3075,970$54,780 - 105,4304%81%
61Human resources managers, all other3085,550$49,830 - 134,25011%58%
62Surveyors3048,910$34,800 - 63,78024%82%
63Purchasing managers3066,680$43,570 - 96,2103%57%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons2,55023,210$14,950 - 37,08012%25%
2Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand1,58023,050$15,430 - 31,8802%5%
3Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer1,56039,770$24,600 - 60,46010%4%
4Team assemblers1,50026,440$17,760 - 38,0900%5%
5Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food1,44016,140$14,300 - 19,45018%5%
6Cashiers1,40017,460$14,540 - 20,580-2%10%
7Customer service representatives1,22030,880$21,480 - 41,08025%22%
8Office clerks, general1,20026,370$17,050 - 35,58013%19%
9Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners1,11022,500$16,440 - 31,68015%4%
10Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks98030,280$19,840 - 41,49013%16%
11Stock clerks and order fillers96022,650$14,880 - 32,830-7%8%
12Waiters and waitresses92017,370$14,300 - 23,19011%14%
13Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive85025,810$18,000 - 35,2201%18%
14Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants82024,380$21,550 - 29,23018%7%
15First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers72047,930$33,490 - 65,340-4%15%
16Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers71034,550$28,270 - 39,9005%2%
17Industrial truck and tractor operators67029,550$21,800 - 39,050-1%2%
18General and operations managers63097,260$44,870 - 2%48%
19Truck drivers, light or delivery services62024,690$17,320 - 32,2508%4%
20Bartenders61018,540$14,700 - 23,33011%17%
21Executive secretaries and administrative assistants59035,610$25,710 - 48,75015%18%
22Carpenters59036,940$27,750 - 51,85010%6%
23Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders57031,940$21,180 - 46,490-17%0%
24First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers57046,780$27,800 - 74,9406%29%
25First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers55042,700$23,150 - 63,0404%25%
26Maintenance and repair workers, general55036,250$23,530 - 49,53010%6%
27Order clerks54028,860$21,350 - 36,460-23%16%
28Receptionists and information clerks51024,940$15,720 - 31,76017%13%
29Packers and packagers, hand49019,590$14,780 - 25,930-11%3%
30Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks48030,560$21,320 - 42,6004%6%
31Machinists48037,520$26,640 - 50,760-2%3%
32Maids and housekeeping cleaners45017,790$14,560 - 21,31013%5%
33Personal and home care aides44021,190$17,050 - 26,61051%10%
34Helpers--production workers41025,530$20,470 - 34,9100%4%
35Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers41033,840$22,550 - 47,060-6%14%
36Tellers40022,400$17,120 - 30,05014%16%
37Automotive service technicians and mechanics39035,030$20,240 - 48,51014%4%
38Electricians38047,200$32,730 - 62,9607%7%
39Teacher assistants37023,970$16,830 - 32,58010%18%
40Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters36055,900$29,520 - 82,63011%4%
41Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators35055,950$37,820 - 79,8609%47%
42Security guards35020,820$15,750 - 26,23017%13%
43Business operations specialists, all other34056,340$15,510 - 88,55021%49%
44First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers34028,750$16,400 - 45,49011%14%
45Construction laborers32034,580$22,020 - 48,60011%5%
46Home health aides31021,410$17,380 - 25,30049%7%
47Bus drivers, school29029,970$21,610 - 45,3209%4%
48Police and sheriff's patrol officers28047,900$29,950 - 61,91011%33%
49Cooks, restaurant27023,650$15,620 - 37,40012%5%
50Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood26025,340$18,580 - 34,1304%0%
51Medical assistants26029,950$24,320 - 37,66035%10%
52Counter and rental clerks26021,500$14,790 - 32,85023%16%
53Landscaping and groundskeeping workers25026,180$17,960 - 36,65018%6%
54Production, planning, and expediting clerks25041,150$27,000 - 59,6604%30%
55Parts salespersons24027,360$15,410 - 39,500-1%6%
56Computer support specialists23040,320$27,620 - 58,38013%43%
57Healthcare support workers, all other22024,540$18,720 - 31,85016%10%
58Cost estimators22054,120$34,930 - 80,33019%32%
59Driver/sales workers22030,580$16,990 - 44,900-4%4%
60Fire fighters22031,160$19,410 - 49,48012%18%
61Food preparation workers21018,050$14,610 - 23,50015%7%
62Preschool teachers, except special education21023,090$16,870 - 33,46026%43%
63Billing and posting clerks and machine operators21031,630$22,150 - 41,2504%15%
64Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters20026,490$18,200 - 32,8003%4%
65All other information and record clerks20026,010$14,190 - 38,910-12%21%
66Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic20029,970$22,450 - 38,440-14%0%
67Food servers, nonrestaurant19019,940$16,000 - 25,71016%9%
68Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products19044,480$29,280 - 70,8800%42%
69Paralegals and legal assistants19035,350$25,750 - 50,45022%45%
70Dental assistants18028,670$21,450 - 36,59029%9%
71Machine feeders and offbearers18026,120$18,640 - 34,410-14%0%
72Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks18019,070$16,300 - 23,29017%14%
73First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers18056,140$32,310 - 81,4207%13%
74Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists18025,100$16,630 - 32,88012%6%
75Industrial production managers17097,610$45,850 - -5%43%
76Sales representatives, services, all other17045,880$25,070 - 76,04028%48%
77First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers17059,630$36,630 - 91,8709%10%
78Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators170 -7%12%
79Cooks, institution and cafeteria17022,380$14,890 - 30,31011%5%
80Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders17030,440$25,700 - 38,060-12%4%
81Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists16040,750$24,730 - 59,30012%3%
82First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators16059,750$26,720 - 99,60010%17%
83Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses16037,570$29,110 - 47,76014%7%
84Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance16036,400$25,970 - 49,1102%11%
85Postal service mail carriers160 1%11%
86Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders15025,540$19,310 - 31,490-4%5%
87Industrial machinery mechanics15039,310$28,290 - 50,7209%5%
88Cooks, fast food15017,670$14,930 - 20,7208%5%
89Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders15035,410$18,040 - 49,690-8%3%
90First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers15070,900$41,370 - 123,2204%38%
91Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other14038,790$26,650 - 50,1908%9%
92Loan officers14063,620$42,090 - 96,02012%49%
93Radiologic technologists and technicians14050,050$38,250 - 64,00015%25%
94Emergency medical technicians and paramedics14028,800$23,770 - 33,33019%14%
95Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers13042,450$28,440 - 63,6409%3%
96Insurance sales agents13046,780$27,330 - 71,69013%45%
97Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors13019,720$16,710 - 23,64027%47%
98Millwrights13049,870$32,970 - 65,2106%0%
99Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders13026,690$20,770 - 32,190-4%4%
100Mechanical drafters12045,830$32,290 - 63,9305%25%
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Rasmussen College
Wausau, Wisconsin
  • Programs: Business And Management, Computer Science And Engineering, Education And Teaching, Family And Social Work, Law, Leisure, Media, Medical Administration, Medical Support And Technology, Nursing And Emergency Medicine, Nutrition And Exercise Therapy, Office And Administration, Photography And Commercial Art, Security And Law Enforcement, Therapy And Counseling
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Jobs More Common Near Wausau Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood25,34026025.5
Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders31,94057015.8
Millwrights49,8701309.7
Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic32,2501109
Commercial and industrial designers55,3101108.2
Legislators16,1601306.6
Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders35,4101505.9
Order clerks28,8605404.9
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers34,5507104.6
Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders30,4401704.5
Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters26,4902004.2
Machine feeders and offbearers26,1201804.1
Mechanical drafters45,8301203.8
Team assemblers26,4401,5003.3
Highway maintenance workers32,7001203
Machinists37,5204802.8
Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other36,4102802.7
Bartenders18,5406102.7
Healthcare support workers, all other24,5402202.7
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators55,9503502.6
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers47,9307202.6
Industrial production managers97,6101702.6
Industrial truck and tractor operators29,5506702.5
Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators34,8401002.5
Parts salespersons27,3602402.5
Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders26,6901302.4
Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other38,7901402.3
Food servers, nonrestaurant19,9401902.3
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer39,7701,5602.2
Personal and home care aides21,1904402.2
Cost estimators54,1202202.1
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic29,9702002.1
Helpers--production workers25,5304102.1
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers33,8404102.1
All other information and record clerks26,0102002
Industrial engineers68,2801802
Production, planning, and expediting clerks41,1502502
Butchers and meat cutters29,6001002
Fire fighters31,1602201.9
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks19,0701801.9
Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators 1701.9
Mechanical engineers63,7801901.9
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics28,8001401.8
Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance36,4001601.8
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters55,9003601.8
First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators59,7501601.7
Bus drivers, school29,9702901.6
Tellers22,4004001.5
Paralegals and legal assistants35,3501901.5
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand23,0501,5801.5

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Wausau, Wisconsin Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Lawyers127,7601.25170
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters55,9001.21360
Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders35,4101.17150
Driver/sales workers30,5801.17220
First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators59,7501.15160
Bus drivers, school29,9701.15290
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators48,6601.14120
Construction laborers34,5801.11320
Industrial production managers97,6101.11170
Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic32,2501.1110
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers42,7001.1550
Cooks, restaurant23,6501.09270
Helpers--production workers25,5301.08410
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers26,1801.08250
Teacher assistants23,9701.08370
Loan officers63,6201.08140
File clerks25,4001.08110
Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other38,7901.07140
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks30,5601.07480
Medical assistants29,9501.07260
Personal and home care aides21,1901.06440
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment22,2501.06120
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer39,7701.061,560
Amusement and recreation attendants19,5801.06110
Maintenance and repair workers, general36,2501.06550
Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance36,4001.05160
Chief executives157,6501.05120
Billing and posting clerks and machine operators31,6301.04210
Receptionists and information clerks24,9401.04510
Customer service representatives30,8801.041,220
Financial managers96,4401.04230
First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers46,7801.04570
Office clerks, general26,3701.041,200
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers42,4501.04130
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists40,7501.04160
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic29,9701.03200
Order clerks28,8601.03540
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers59,6301.03170
Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders30,4401.02170
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers70,9001.02150
Machinists37,5201.02480
Cooks, fast food17,6701.02150
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants24,3801.02820
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers33,8401.01410
General and operations managers97,2601.01630
Home health aides21,4101.01310
Machine feeders and offbearers26,1201.01180
Electricians47,2001.01380
Production, planning, and expediting clerks41,1501.01250
Elementary school teachers, except special education49,9301490

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