How Much Workers' Comp Pays in Wisconsin

Temporary total disability is two-thirds of the worker's average weekly earnings, up to the state maximum for the year of injury. Temporary partial disability is a proportion of the total disability rate equal to the worker's actual wage loss compared with pre-injury wages.

For injuries on or after Jan. 1, 2026, the maximum weekly rate for temporary total, permanent total and death benefits is $1,375 (based on a maximum weekly wage of $2,062.50). The maximum permanent partial disability rate is $446 for injuries from Jan. 1, 2026 and $454 for injuries on or after April 1, 2026 (rising to $462 on Jan. 1, 2027).

Temporary disability benefits are payable weekly during the disability; the statute does not set an overall maximum number of weeks for temporary total disability. Temporary disability includes time reasonably needed for training in the use of artificial members and appliances, and time spent in approved vocational retraining; temporary disability paid only because of retraining is limited to 80 weeks unless the Department of Workforce Development determines that additional training is warranted. If a renewed period of temporary disability begins more than 2 years after the injury, it is paid at the maximum rate in effect when the new period begins (or the same proportion of it).

Wage-loss compensation begins on the fourth calendar day (not counting Sundays unless the employee works Sundays) after the employee leaves work because of the injury. If the disability lasts more than seven calendar days, the first three days are also paid.

Permanent partial disability is paid, in addition to healing-period benefits, at two-thirds of average weekly earnings (up to the permanent partial disability maximum, $454 per week for injuries on or after April 1, 2026) for the number of weeks in a statutory schedule (for example, 500 weeks for loss of an arm at the shoulder and 400 weeks for a hand). Disabilities not on the schedule are paid in proportion to 1,000 weeks, based on how the injury compares with permanent total disability. Permanent total disability is paid weekly for life; for injuries on or after Jan. 1, 2026, the weekly amount is increased starting on the sixth anniversary of the injury.