1

Cost Analyst Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

The Cost Analyst is responsible for owning cost accounting for our engineered-to-order (ETO) manufacturing operations, including job costing, standard cost maintenance, variance analysis, and ...

MARS Solutions Group is looking for an experienced Cost Analyst located in Milwaukee, WI. Our client is an electricity and natural gas industry Leader looking for high-quality talent to make a ...

Cost Analyst

Sheboygan Falls, WI · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Position Overview This position is an excellent opportunity for an individual to leverage their analytical/accounting expertise as a Cost Analyst, specifically serving the Sheboygan Falls Campus ...

The Cost Analyst is responsible for owning cost accounting for our engineered-to-order (ETO) manufacturing operations, including job costing, standard cost maintenance, variance analysis, and ...

The Cost Analyst is responsible for owning cost accounting for our engineered-to-order (ETO) manufacturing operations, including job costing, standard cost maintenance, variance analysis, and ...

Cost Analyst

Sheboygan Falls, WI

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Position OverviewThis position is an excellent opportunity for an individual to leverage their analytical/accounting expertise as a Cost Analyst, specifically serving the Sheboygan Falls Campus ...

Cost Analyst

Sheboygan Falls, WI

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Position Overview This position is an excellent opportunity for an individual to leverage their analytical/accounting expertise as a Cost Analyst, specifically serving the Sheboygan Falls Campus ...

Senior Cost Analyst

Milwaukee, WI · On-site

$82K - $104K/yr

Compare actual to standard costs; perform analysis on variances; update bill of materials (BOMs) Prepare/review cost estimates of new or proposed changes (engineering change notices) to products to ...

Senior Cost Analyst

Milwaukee, WI · On-site

$82K - $104K/yr

Company Description Compare actual to standard costs; perform analysis on variances; update bill of materials (BOMs) • Prepare/review cost estimates of new or proposed changes (engineering change ...

Analyze the cost of BOM, raw materials, process and tooling according to engineering data * Provide the manufacturing cost estimation and business case analysis as base for sales team. * Establish ...

Analyze the cost of BOM, raw materials, process and tooling according to engineering data * Provide the manufacturing cost estimation and business case analysis as base for sales team. * Establish ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Cost Analyst information

See Wisconsin salary details

$37.3K

$87.1K

$128.7K

How much do cost analyst jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for cost analyst in Wisconsin is $87,119.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,200.00 and $101,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a cost analyst do?

A Cost Analyst is responsible for examining and managing the costs associated with a company's operations, products, or projects. They analyze financial data, prepare cost reports, and work to identify areas where expenses can be reduced without compromising quality. Cost Analysts often collaborate with other departments to ensure budget adherence and provide recommendations for cost-saving strategies. Their work helps organizations make informed financial decisions and improve profitability.

What does a cost analyst do?

A cost analyst helps their company control expenses through financial research and analysis. In this job, your duties include analyzing the difference between company costs and standard costs, developing budgets, auditing financial transactions, conducting market research, and preparing reports for company leadership. One of your goals is to determine how to lower costs for the company. The qualifications for a career as a cost analyst include a bachelor’s degree in business administration or accounting, experience in cost accounting, and excellent analytical skills. Some employers may also require you to be a certified public accountant (CPA) to qualify for this job.

What are some common challenges faced by cost analysts in managing project budgets, and how can they be addressed?

Cost Analysts often encounter challenges such as incomplete data, shifting project scopes, and unexpected expenses that can impact budget accuracy. To address these issues, it's important to maintain clear communication with project managers and department heads, use reliable forecasting tools, and regularly review financial reports for discrepancies. Proactively identifying potential cost overruns and suggesting corrective actions helps ensure projects stay within budget and meet organizational financial goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cost analyst, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cost Analyst, you need strong analytical skills, a solid grasp of accounting principles, and typically a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field. Proficiency in Excel, ERP systems (like SAP), and cost accounting software, along with certifications such as CMA (Certified Management Accountant), are often required. Attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for interpreting data and presenting findings to stakeholders. These competencies are essential for delivering accurate cost analyses that support informed business decisions and enhance organizational efficiency.

What is the difference between Cost Analyst vs Financial Analyst?

AspectCost AnalystFinancial Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's in finance, accounting, or related field; often certifications like CMA or CPABachelor's in finance, economics, or related; certifications like CFA are common
Work EnvironmentCorporate finance, manufacturing, or government agencies focusing on cost controlInvestment firms, banks, or corporate finance departments analyzing financial data
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in industries with cost management needs such as manufacturing and logisticsUsed across finance sectors including banking, investment, and corporate finance

The main difference between a Cost Analyst and a Financial Analyst lies in their focus areas. Cost Analysts primarily concentrate on controlling and reducing costs within organizations, often working closely with operations. Financial Analysts analyze financial data to guide investment and business decisions. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and certifications, but their work environments and objectives differ significantly.

How much does a cost analyst make?

The average salary for a cost analyst is around $65,000 to $75,000 per year, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions typically start lower, while experienced analysts or those with specialized skills can earn over $85,000 annually.

What degree do you need to be a cost analyst?

A cost analyst typically needs at least a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a related field. Some employers prefer candidates with a master's degree or professional certifications such as the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Strong analytical skills and proficiency with spreadsheets and data analysis tools are also important.

What are the most commonly searched types of Cost Analyst jobs in Wisconsin?

The most popular types of Cost Analyst jobs in Wisconsin are:

What are popular job titles related to Cost Analyst jobs in Wisconsin?

For Cost Analyst jobs in Wisconsin, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Wisconsin are hiring for Cost Analyst jobs?

Cities in Wisconsin with the most Cost Analyst job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Cost Analyst jobs in WI?

For Cost Analyst jobs in WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Cost Analyst job openings in Wisconsin as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,119 per year, or $41.9 per hour.

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago


Henderson Products rating

6.2

Company rating: 6.2 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

WHO WE ARE: Douglas Dynamics is North America’s premier manufacturer and up-fitter of work truck attachments and equipment. Our belief is that our employees and culture are just as important to the company as serving our customers. We place a high value on building a team and working environment where individuals can succeed professionally and personally. As a team member at Douglas Dynamics, you can expect to make a difference through your work, to have a direct impact on the achievement of a very meaningful mission to serve our customers, to advance your career, and to have room for fun and fulfillment in your daily life.

We would love to have you join our team, where we offer top notch benefits, multiple avenues for advancement and a great working environment.

HOW WE DO IT: Grow, Improve, and Engage is our focus as an organization to ensure we succeed by executing the right things. These are our Core Values and are How We Win in the marketplace. The Winning Behaviors are what each Douglas Dynamics employee does to support the success of our company. They are the expectations of all of us to help ensure we focus on winning as an organization the right way! Our Winning Behaviors are:

  • Be Customer & Results Driven
  • Anticipate the Possibilities
  • Collaborate & Care
  • Communicate Responsibly
  • Develop Self & Others
  • Get Better Every Day

HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE: The Cost Analyst is responsible for owning cost accounting for our engineered-to-order (ETO) manufacturing operations, including job costing, standard cost maintenance, variance analysis, and inventory valuation. This position requires strong analytical skills along with an in-depth understanding of job-order costing and manufacturing accounting practices. Reporting to the Controller, this role partners closely with estimating, engineering, and operations to ensure the cost data driving quoting, margin visibility, and management reporting is accurate and timely. Strong analytical and communication skills are critical in this role to translate detailed cost data into insight the business can act on.

  • Lead by example and promote Winning Behaviors across all teams.
  • Maintain and update job costing and standard cost records.
  • Perform monthly inventory reconciliation and support accurate inventory and cost-of-goods-sold reporting.
  • Analyze and report on job-level cost variances (material, labor, overhead) versus quoted/estimated cost; investigate and document root causes.
  • Partner with estimating and engineering to refine standard costs, labor routings, and overhead rates based on actual job experience.
  • Support month-end close activities related to cost accounting, including journal entries, accruals, and account reconciliations.
  • Maintain the standard cost system (BOMs, routings, overhead rates) and coordinate periodic standard cost updates.
  • Provide ad hoc cost analysis to support quoting, make-vs-buy decisions, and margin reviews for management.
  • Serve as a key support contact for annual physical inventory and external audit requests related to cost accounting and inventory valuation.
  • Support cost-related workstreams of the ERP upgrade (e.g., validating costing data conversion, testing job costing and WIP functionality).
  • Assist in process improvement of finance functions.

WHAT THIS ROLE NEEDS:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required
  • 3-6 years of cost accounting or manufacturing accounting experience, ideally in a job-shop, custom, or ETO environment
  • Ability to work independently on job costing, variance analysis, and inventory reconciliation with minimal supervision
  • Experience with ERP systems supporting job costing and inventory management (Epicor experience a plus)
  • CMA or CPA a plus
  • Working knowledge of standard costing, BOMs, routings, and overhead allocation
  • Results-driven mindset, focused on delivering accurate, timely cost data to support quoting and margin decisions.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.
  • Ability to analyze problems; categorize & simplify complex issues to deliver incremental improvement.
  • Accuracy and detail focused.
  • Team oriented, working with other employees across the company to effectively accomplish daily tasks
  • Strong analytical and communication skills to partner with estimating, engineering, and operations
  • Competent computer skills with ERP systems, Microsoft Excel, and other technical resources as require

Our focus on integrity, teamwork, and high performance creates an ideal work environment for every one of our employees.

We offer competitive salaries, benefits, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Discover our opportunities and come see all the ways you can do more at Douglas Dynamics.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Douglas Dynamics, LLC does not discriminate against qualified applicants in hiring based on race, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or any other characteristic protected by law.


What Henderson Products employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom