Job Salary Guide · 2026
Software Engineer Salary After Tax in Appleton
Based on BLS OEWS data · WI · Single filer
Software Engineer Salary Range
25th Percentile
$105,000
Take-home:
$77,075
$6,423/mo
Entry to mid-level
Median
$132,000
Take-home:
$94,366
$7,864/mo
Typical salary
75th Percentile
$165,000
Take-home:
$115,172
$9,598/mo
Senior / specialist
Tax Breakdown
At median salary of $132,000
Cost of Living in Appleton
1BR Monthly Rent
$1,050/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
$1,320/mo
COL Index
0.91
Comfortable Rent Max
$1,966/mo
50 / 30 / 20 Budget Planner
Based on your monthly take-home of $7,864 ($94,368/yr)
$3,932
per month
- ›Rent / mortgage
- ›Groceries
- ›Utilities
- ›Insurance
- ›Minimum debt payments
- ›Transportation
$2,359
per month
- ›Dining out
- ›Streaming services
- ›Gym
- ›Hobbies
- ›Travel
- ›Shopping
$1,573
per month
- ›Emergency fund
- ›401(k) / IRA
- ›Investments
- ›Down payment fund
- ›Debt payoff (extra)
Needs / year
$47,184
Wants / year
$28,310
Savings / year
$18,874
Software Engineer Salary in Other Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Software Engineer salary in Appleton?
The median Software Engineer salary in Appleton (WI) is $132,000 per year based on BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $105,000 and the 75th percentile is $165,000.
What is the take-home pay for a Software Engineer in Appleton?
At the median salary of $132,000, a Software Engineer in WI takes home approximately $94,366 per year ($7,864/month) after federal and state taxes. The effective tax rate is 28.51%.
Can a Software Engineer afford rent in Appleton?
The average 1-bedroom rent in Appleton is $1,050/month. On the median Software Engineer salary, your rent-to-income ratio is 13.4%, which is "Comfortable". Financial experts recommend keeping rent below 25–30% of take-home pay ($1,966/month at this salary).
How does cost of living affect Software Engineer salaries in Appleton?
Appleton has a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (1.00 = national average). Appleton is 9% cheaper than the US average, so the Software Engineer salary goes further here than in high-cost metros.