Wisconsin · 2026 planning data

Wisconsin SUTA rate and employer cost for 2026

Wisconsin's 2026 unemployment-insurance cost is employer- or industry-specific. The sourced wage base is $14,000 per employee, so EmployerCost presents a 2.50%–3.25% planning range until the assigned rate is available.

Calculate a Wisconsin estimate

How the Wisconsin SUTA line is estimated

State unemployment tax applies only up to the annual UI wage base for each employee. For an employee earning at least $14,000, the planning calculation is:

Wisconsin does not provide one universal new-employer percentage for every business. EmployerCost uses the official 2.50%–3.25% planning range until the assigned notice is available.

What changes the real employer cost

• Wisconsin's 2026 new-employer totals range from 2.50% to 3.25% on the first $14,000, depending on construction classification and payroll size.
• Schedule D experienced totals range from 0.00% to 12.00%; use the assigned rate for an exact result.
• Employer Social Security, Medicare, and FUTA remain separate federal cost lines.
• Workers compensation depends on class code, carrier, payroll exposure, and employer history.
• Health benefits, retirement contributions, payroll software, and HR administration depend on the employer's choices.

Use the calculator's custom SUTA field whenever an official notice supplies a different rate. Read the SUTA rate guide and employer payroll tax guide before relying on a planning result.

Wisconsin employer cost questions

What is the Wisconsin SUTA wage base for 2026?

The sourced taxable wage base used by EmployerCost is $14,000 per employee. Wages above that cap are not included in this SUTA line, but can still affect Social Security, Medicare, benefits, workers compensation, and other costs.

What rate should a new Wisconsin employer use?

Wisconsin does not provide one universal new-employer percentage for every business. EmployerCost uses the official 2.50%–3.25% planning range until the assigned notice is available.

Is SUTA the full cost of a Wisconsin employee?

No. Start with salary, then add employer FICA, FUTA, SUTA, workers compensation, benefits, and payroll administration. The Wisconsin calculator keeps uncertain items as ranges.

Official sources

• Wisconsin DWD 2026 Schedule D tax rates
• U.S. Department of Labor — Significant Provisions of State UI Laws, effective January 2026

Verified against official sources July 30, 2026.

General planning information only. Not payroll, tax, legal, insurance, or HR compliance advice.