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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Department Head in Wisconsin is $63,458 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.
However, a Department Head's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Department Head Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $69,550 | $5,796 | $1,338 | $33 |
| Average | $63,458 | $5,288 | $1,220 | $31 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,492 | $4,708 | $1,086 | $27 |
L&M Fleet Supply - Rhinelander, WI
Blain's Farm & Fleet - Dodgeville, WI
Blain's Farm & Fleet - Waukesha, WI
Blain's Farm & Fleet - Janesville, WI
A Department Head's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Department Head's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Banking O... Level Department Head | $53,916 |
| Banking O... Level Department Head | $64,449 |
| Departmen... Level Department Head | $63,010 |
| Banking O... Level Department Head | $72,066 |
| Banking O... Level Department Head | $83,663 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Department Heads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Department Head roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Department Head positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Department Head as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $88,841 | $43.0 | 40% |
| Insurance | $76,149 | $37.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Department Head's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $69,550 | $5,796 | $1,338 | $33 |
| Average | $63,458 | $5,288 | $1,220 | $31 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,492 | $4,708 | $1,086 | $27 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Department Head job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Blain's Farm & Fleet
Onalaska, WI
Blain's Farm & Fleet | Onalaska, WI
Blain's Farm & Fleet - - Responsibilities: Stock shelves with back stock product and incoming freight for the day. Set and remove Ad prices for the appropr... more
5 Days Ago
Argus Technical Services
Jefferson, WI
Argus Technical Services | Jefferson, WI
Head of Detailing DepartmentJefferson, WI1st Shift$40-$60/hr Bonus We're partnering with a well-established metal building manufacturer that's looking for ... more
8 Days Ago
Jazz Pharmaceuticals
EAST PALO ALTO, CA
Jazz Pharmaceuticals | EAST PALO ALTO, CA
If you are a current Jazz employee please apply via the Internal Career site. Jazz Pharmaceuticals is a global biopharma company whose purpose is to innova... more
5 Days Ago
Jazz Pharmaceuticals
MIDDLE WEST, PA
Jazz Pharmaceuticals | MIDDLE WEST, PA
If you are a current Jazz employee please apply via the Internal Career site. Jazz Pharmaceuticals is a global biopharma company whose purpose is to innova... more
5 Days Ago
UAB Medicine
BIRMINGHAM, AL
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
ALAMEDA, NM
National Radio Astronomy Observatory | ALAMEDA, NM
National Radio Astronomy Observatory Title: Head of Software Engineering Location: NRAO Array Operations Center, PO Box 0, SOCORRO, New Mexico, United Stat... more
5 Days Ago
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