How much does workers' comp pay in Wisconsin?
- Wisconsin temporary total pays two-thirds of statutory average weekly wage, up to $1,375 a week for 2026 injuries ($1,326 for 2025).
- The calculated minimum is $20 a week.
- At $1,200 AWW the rate is $800.
- There is a three-day waiting period, paid back if disability lasts more than seven days.
Official-source review: . General guidance, not legal advice.
Calculate Wisconsin ordinary total-disability pay
Estimated weekly TTD
$800.00
Assumes full temporary disability and a correct AWW. Does not establish eligibility, apply waiting periods or offsets, or model partial disability.
Wisconsin permanent-award rules: what actually drives the payout
- Wisconsin permanent partial disability = loss-of-use percentage × scheduled weeks × two-thirds of AWW, capped at a much lower PPD maximum: $454 a week for injuries from April 1, 2026 ($446 for January–March 2026 and 2025).
- Schedule: arm at shoulder 500 weeks, at elbow 450, hand 400, leg at hip 500, at knee 425, foot 250, eye 250.
- Unscheduled (body-as-a-whole) injuries use 1,000 weeks.
- A 10% arm-at-shoulder rating for an April 2026 injury is 50 weeks × $454 = $22,700.
Medical impairment, legal disability and loss of earning capacity are different measurements. Use the established award category and applicable rate before doing dollar arithmetic. Do not borrow a rating from Social Security, the VA or another state.
| Award basis | Full-loss / full-person weeks |
|---|---|
| Unscheduled / body as a whole | 1000 |
| Arm at shoulder | 500 |
| Arm at elbow | 450 |
| Hand at wrist | 400 |
| Leg at hip | 500 |
| Leg at knee | 425 |
| Foot at ankle | 250 |
| Eye (loss of industrial use) | 250 |
How to evaluate a Wisconsin settlement
- Wisconsin compromises need Department of Workforce Development approval, ordinarily by an administrative law judge; an agreement between the parties alone is not enough.
- A full compromise can include future medical, while a limited compromise can leave it open.
- The worker may petition to review an approved compromise within one year, though reopening is discretionary.
- Check the wage worksheet, award classification, rating evidence and unpaid benefits.
- Identify exactly which medical conditions, future treatment and wage-loss rights are released.
- Separate gross value from prior payments, approved fees, liens and other adjustments.
- Review Medicare and Social Security coordination when relevant; a medical allocation is not an automatic settlement multiplier.
Wisconsin workers' compensation rates by injury date
Dated rate history from official Wisconsin sources, reviewed . Looking for employer premiums? See workers' comp insurance cost by state.
| Injury period | Weekly maximum | Minimum basis |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 – December 31, 2026 | $1,375.00 | $20.00; no more than actual wages |
| January 1 – December 31, 2025 | $1,326.00 | $20.00; no more than actual wages |
Wisconsin PPD has its own weekly maximum: $454 for injuries from April 1, 2026, and $446 for January–March 2026 and 2025 injuries.
Reporting, filing and official sources
- Notify the employer within 30 days of the injury or of learning it is work-related.
- If no application is filed and no compensation paid within two years, the claim is barred unless the employer knew of the injury.
- The general limit for traumatic injuries is six years from the injury or last payment, with exceptions.
Wisconsin benefit questions
How much does workers' comp pay in Wisconsin?+
Wisconsin temporary total pays two-thirds of statutory average weekly wage, up to $1,375 a week for 2026 injuries ($1,326 for 2025). The calculated minimum is $20 a week. At $1,200 AWW the rate is $800. There is a three-day waiting period, paid back if disability lasts more than seven days.
How do permanent disability benefits work in Wisconsin?+
Wisconsin permanent partial disability = loss-of-use percentage × scheduled weeks × two-thirds of AWW, capped at a much lower PPD maximum: $454 a week for injuries from April 1, 2026 ($446 for January–March 2026 and 2025). Schedule: arm at shoulder 500 weeks, at elbow 450, hand 400, leg at hip 500, at knee 425, foot 250, eye 250. Unscheduled (body-as-a-whole) injuries use 1,000 weeks. A 10% arm-at-shoulder rating for an April 2026 injury is 50 weeks × $454 = $22,700.
Can a Wisconsin settlement close future medical care?+
Wisconsin compromises need Department of Workforce Development approval, ordinarily by an administrative law judge; an agreement between the parties alone is not enough. A full compromise can include future medical, while a limited compromise can leave it open. The worker may petition to review an approved compromise within one year, though reopening is discretionary.
What are the reporting and filing deadlines in Wisconsin?+
Notify the employer within 30 days of the injury or of learning it is work-related. If no application is filed and no compensation paid within two years, the claim is barred unless the employer knew of the injury. The general limit for traumatic injuries is six years from the injury or last payment, with exceptions.
Why is Wisconsin's PPD rate so much lower than TTD?+
Wisconsin caps permanent partial disability separately: $454 a week for injuries from April 1, 2026, versus a $1,375 TTD maximum. Using the TTD rate for PPD overstates the award.
Did the Wisconsin PPD cap change during 2026?+
Yes. Injuries January 1 – March 31, 2026 use $446 a week; injuries April 1, 2026 or later use $454.
Is there a waiting period for Wisconsin workers' comp?+
Yes, three days. Those days are paid retroactively if the disability lasts more than seven days.
Can a Wisconsin unscheduled award exceed the medical rating?+
It can. Unscheduled injuries may include loss of earning capacity, subject to return-to-work limits, so the medical rating is not always the full award.
Does surgery guarantee a larger Wisconsin settlement?+
No. Surgery can change treatment costs, restrictions and medical evidence, but there is no automatic surgery multiplier. Permanent disability must be established under the applicable rules. Compare the benefits released and future care needs, not just the procedure name.
Are Wisconsin workers' comp benefits taxable?+
Benefits paid under a workers' compensation law for an occupational injury or illness are generally excluded from federal income tax. Returned-to-work wages, retirement payments and Social Security offsets can have different tax treatment. Review IRS Publication 525 and seek tax advice for the agreement's allocations.
Can I receive pain and suffering through Wisconsin workers' comp?+
Workers' compensation generally does not award pain and suffering. A separate claim against a responsible third party may allow different damages, but employer immunity and reimbursement rights need separate legal review.
When should I compare a Wisconsin settlement offer?+
Compare an offer after understanding the wage calculation, medical condition, permanent-award category, unpaid benefits and rights released. There is no guaranteed settlement timeline. A bigger lump sum may be worse if it transfers expensive future treatment to you.
Where can I verify my Wisconsin benefit rate?+
Use the official agency resources linked on this page and the written rate calculation in your claim. Injury date, benefit category, wage records and applicable limits matter. An entered rate is not independently verified by this calculator.
These calculations are estimates based on your inputs and general workers' compensation formulas. Actual benefits depend on state law, your specific injury, employer insurance carrier, and other factors. This is not legal advice. Consult a licensed workers' compensation attorney for guidance specific to your claim.