CPA in Wisconsin

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for WI. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$78,150

trending_down -4.3% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Wisconsin.

engineering

25,060

Jobs (WI)

monitoring Strong

+4.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$1,182

Est. total cost

schedule

1-3 years

Time to complete

route How to become a cpa in Wisconsin

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Wisconsin, candidates must meet specific education, examination, and experience requirements. The licensing body is the Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board, under the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). Key steps include completing 150 semester hours of education, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, passing a state-specific ethics exam, and accumulating 2080 hours (1 year) of qualified accounting experience. Wisconsin also offers reciprocity for licensed CPAs from other substantially equivalent jurisdictions.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $56,360

25th percentile $63,890

50th (median) $78,150

75th percentile $99,450

90th (experienced) $126,180

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Wisconsin. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Wisconsin requirements

Licensing body	Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board
State license	Required
Education	Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours
Experience	2,080.0 hours
Exam	Uniform CPA Examination ($1,635)
Application fee	$43
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	80.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Requires passing a state-specific ethics exam with a score of 80% or higher. Minimum age of 18. Must complete 12 months of experience within 5 years prior to applying for certification. At least 20 CPE credits must be earned each year, with 3 hours in ethics. A maximum of 40 CPE credits can be carried over to the next cycle.

Source: Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+4.6%

Faster than average

Annual openings

124,200

Nationwide per year

Total employment

1,579,800

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

error High exposure 1.48/1.00

Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

Rough payback period

0 months

~$1,182 investment ÷ $78,150 median salary

check_circleWisconsin license required — clearer credential signal to employers
warningElevated AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a cpa career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

How do you get certified as a cpa in Wisconsin? expand_more

Wisconsin requires cpas to complete the required education (Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours), gain 2,080.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Uniform CPA Examination, and submit your application ($43 fee).

Do I need a license to work as a cpa in Wisconsin? expand_more

Yes, Wisconsin requires a state license to practice as a cpa. The licensing body is Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board. You must pass the Uniform CPA Examination.

How much do cpas make in Wisconsin? expand_more

cpas in Wisconsin earn a median of $78,150 annually. This is close to the national median of $81,680. Wages range from $56,360 (10th percentile) up to $126,180 (90th percentile).

How much does it cost to become a cpa in Wisconsin? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about $1,182, factoring in exam fee ($1,635) and application fee ($43) and required training.

What's the timeline to become a cpa in Wisconsin? expand_more

In Wisconsin, becoming a cpa generally takes 1-3 years, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

How many CE hours do cpas need in Wisconsin? expand_more

To keep your license active, Wisconsin mandates 80.0 CE hours every 2.0 years.