How to Become A Bookkeeper in Wisconsin
Wisconsin employs approximately 25,960 bookkeepers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $50,340 1. Nationally, bookkeeper employment is projected to grow -5.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 170,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a bookkeeper in Wisconsin, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Bookkeeper in Wisconsin
How do I become a bookkeeper in Wisconsin? Wisconsin requires credentials such as CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT, PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT. The licensing authority is the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Wisconsin? Yes. Wisconsin has licensing or registration requirements for bookkeepers. The WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do bookkeepers earn in Wisconsin? The median annual wage for bookkeepers in Wisconsin is $50,340 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,350 and experienced professionals can earn $65,460 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing
- Median wage (Wisconsin): $50,340 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Bookkeeper License Requirements in Wisconsin
The WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing oversees bookkeeper licensing in Wisconsin 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT | A certified public accountant is a person engaged in the practice of public accounting. |
| PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT | A certified public accountant is a person engaged in the practice of public accounting. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Bookkeeper Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks wages in Wisconsin vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 16,510 | $57,790 | $57,230 | $40,280 | $74,990 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | 6,750 | $50,920 | $52,490 | $35,660 | $67,790 |
| Madison | 3,760 | $53,240 | $54,710 | $40,550 | $67,700 |
| Green Bay | 1,570 | $49,160 | $50,530 | $36,410 | $64,260 |
| Duluth | 1,080 | $50,660 | $52,180 | $37,010 | $66,330 |
| Appleton | 1,050 | $50,780 | $52,760 | $37,250 | $69,390 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah | 890 | $49,290 | $52,300 | $37,970 | $70,040 |
| Eau Claire | 780 | $49,270 | $50,710 | $35,990 | $64,550 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 720 | $48,970 | $50,400 | $35,240 | $63,400 |
| Janesville-Beloit | 600 | $48,990 | $51,210 | $37,230 | $65,150 |
| Wausau | 600 | $48,880 | $51,130 | $35,440 | $68,550 |
| Kenosha | 590 | $49,750 | $51,570 | $39,350 | $64,050 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant | 580 | $48,980 | $51,010 | $36,230 | $64,760 |
| Sheboygan | 410 | $50,170 | $53,410 | $39,040 | $69,630 |
| Fond du Lac | 370 | $49,730 | $50,920 | $36,500 | $64,590 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Bookkeepers in Wisconsin
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest bookkeeper employment within Wisconsin according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | 6,750 | $50,920 |
| Madison | 3,760 | $53,240 |
| Green Bay | 1,570 | $49,160 |
| Appleton | 1,050 | $50,780 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah | 890 | $49,290 |
Explore bookkeeper programs in Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay.
Explore More Trades in Wisconsin
- Electrician in Wisconsin
- Plumber in Wisconsin
- HVAC Technician in Wisconsin
- Welder in Wisconsin
- Carpenter in Wisconsin
- Solar Installation Technician in Wisconsin
- Auto Mechanic in Wisconsin
- CNC Machinist in Wisconsin
- Certified Nursing Assistant in Wisconsin
- Medical Assistant in Wisconsin
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for bookkeepers in Wisconsin? Wisconsin currently employs approximately 25,960 bookkeepers 1. Nationally, bookkeeper employment is projected to grow -5.8% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a bookkeeper in Wisconsin with an out-of-state license? Contact the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Wisconsin? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Wisconsin.
How much do bookkeepers earn in Wisconsin compared to the national average? The median annual wage for bookkeepers in Wisconsin is $50,340, which is $1,130 above the national median of $49,210 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing - Licensing Information: https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/Default.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |