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Software Engineer Salary in Madison, WI

Software Engineer salary data for Madison, WI — adjusted for local cost of living. Entry-level to senior pay ranges, take-home pay calculator, and local job market insights.

Software Engineer Salary in Madison, WI — 2026

The median Software Engineer salary in Madison, WI is $123,420 per year ($10,285/month, $59/hr). This reflects the local cost of living index of 102, which is 2% above the national average.

Entry Level
$77K
$37/hr
Median
$123K
$59/hr
Senior
$174K
$84/hr
Top Earner
$207K
$100/hr

Software Engineer Take-Home Pay in Madison

Tax Breakdown (Median Salary)

Gross Annual$123,420
Federal Tax-$18,868
State Tax (5.3%)-$6,541
FICA (SS + Medicare)-$9,442
Annual Take-Home$88,569
Monthly Take-Home$7,381

Living Cost Comparison

Median Rent$1,350/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio13.1%
Median Home Price$340,000
Cost of Living Index102
City Median Salary$68,000
Software Engineer vs City Median+$55,420

Software Engineer Requirements

Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
2-4 years
Job Growth
25.0% (2024-2034)

Key Skills

PythonJavaScriptSQLGitAWS

Madison Job Market Overview

Madison, Wisconsin has a population of 269,840 and an unemployment rate of 2.2%. The top industries are Government, Education, Technology. The local job growth rate is 2.5%, and the average commute time is 22 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Software Engineer salary in Madison, WI?
The median Software Engineer salary in Madison, WI is $123,420 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 102. Entry-level Software Engineers earn around $76,500, while senior-level professionals can earn $174,420 or more.
How much does a Software Engineer take home in Madison after taxes?
A Software Engineer earning the median salary of $123,420 in Madison, WI takes home approximately $88,569 per year ($7,381/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 28.2%.
Is Madison a good city for Software Engineers?
Madison, WI has a cost of living index of 102 (above national average). Software Engineers here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 2.2% and top industries include Government, Education, Technology.
What skills are needed for a Software Engineer in Madison?
Key skills for Software Engineers include Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git, AWS. Typical education requirement is Bachelor's Degree. Valuable certifications include AWS Solutions Architect, Google Cloud Professional.
How does Software Engineer salary in Madison compare to the national average?
The national median Software Engineer salary is $121,000. In Madison, the adjusted salary is $123,420, which is 2.0% higher than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Software Engineer salary in Madison, WI?

The median Software Engineer salary in Madison, WI is $123,420 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 102. Entry-level Software Engineers earn around $76,500, while senior-level professionals can earn $174,420 or more.

How much does a Software Engineer take home in Madison after taxes?

A Software Engineer earning the median salary of $123,420 in Madison, WI takes home approximately $88,569 per year ($7,381/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 28.2%.

Is Madison a good city for Software Engineers?

Madison, WI has a cost of living index of 102 (above national average). Software Engineers here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 2.2% and top industries include Government, Education, Technology.

What skills are needed for a Software Engineer in Madison?

Key skills for Software Engineers include Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git, AWS. Typical education requirement is Bachelor's Degree. Valuable certifications include AWS Solutions Architect, Google Cloud Professional.

How does Software Engineer salary in Madison compare to the national average?

The national median Software Engineer salary is $121,000. In Madison, the adjusted salary is $123,420, which is 2.0% higher than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.