Madison Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Madison, WI: $32.69/hr median hourly wage, $68,000 median annual salary, cost of living index 102, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Wisconsin taxes.
Madison Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Madison, WI is $32.69/hr, equivalent to $68,000 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $20.27/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $46.42/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$68,000
$32.69/hr
Cost of Living
102
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
2.2%
rate
Madison, WI Overview
Population
269,840
Median Salary
$68,000
Average Salary
$75,000
Avg Commute
22 min
Median Home Price
$340,000
Median Rent
$1,350/mo
Job Growth
+2.5%
Sales Tax
5.5%
Madison is located in Wisconsin with a population of 269,840. The median household salary is $68,000 per year ($32.69/hour), which is $8,616 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 22 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.5%.
Madison Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Madison, WI based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $68,000 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $42,160 | $20.27/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $68,000 | $32.69/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $96,560 | $46.42/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $121,040 | $58.19/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Madison Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Madison, WI, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$53,064
$4,422.00/month · $2,040.92/biweekly · Effective Rate: 22.0%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $2,040.92 take-home per paycheck after estimated Wisconsin and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$68,000
Federal Tax
-$6,130
State Tax
-$3,604
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$5,202
Net Pay
$53,064
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,666.67 | $68,000.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$510.83 | -$6,130.00 |
| Wisconsin State Tax (5.3%) | -$300.33 | -$3,604.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$351.33 | -$4,216.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$82.17 | -$986.00 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,422.00 | $53,064.00 |
Salary Comparison: Madison vs Other Cities
See how Madison's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison, WI | $68,000 | 102 | $66,667 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $68,000 | 140 | $48,571 |
| Hayward, CA | $68,000 | 145 | $46,897 |
| Fort Collins, CO | $68,000 | 108 | $62,963 |
| Pearl City, HI | $68,000 | 175 | $38,857 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Madison
Madison's cost of living index is 102 (national average = 100). Living in Madison is 2% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$340,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Annual Rent Cost
$16,200
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $53,064 annual take-home pay in Madison has the purchasing power of approximately $52,024 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $69,360 in Madison to match a $68,000 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Madison
Madison's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $68,000.
Salary Tips for Madison Workers
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 5.3% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. Madison's top industries include Government, Education, Technology. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $68,000 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Madison salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Madison-WI metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Madison indexed at 102.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Madison's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $68,000 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Wisconsin state income tax (5.3%) (no local income tax), sales tax (5.5%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Madison: 2.2%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Government, Education, Technology — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.5% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Wisconsin.
- Housing context: median home price $340,000, median rent $1,350/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Madison, WI:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Madison unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Madison QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Wisconsin — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Madison's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Wisconsin labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Madison, WI?
The median hourly wage in Madison, WI is $32.69 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $68,000 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $20.27/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $46.42/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Madison, WI?
The median salary in Madison, WI is $68,000 per year, or $32.69 per hour. The average salary is $75,000. This is $8,616 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Madison, WI?
Madison's cost of living index is 102 (national average = 100), meaning it is 2% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $340,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,350.
What are the best industries in Madison?
The top industries in Madison, WI include Government, Education, Technology. The city has a job growth rate of 2.5% and an unemployment rate of 2.2%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $68,000.
How does Madison's salary compare to other cities?
Madison's median salary of $68,000 is 14.5% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 102), the real purchasing power is approximately $66,667.
What is the minimum wage in Madison, WI?
The minimum wage in Madison, WI is $7.25 per hour. This equals approximately $15,080 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.