Madison, WI

Salary intelligence, cost of living, and affordability data

All 791 jobs →

Avg Salary

$69,074

across all roles

Cost Index

Below Average

Avg Rent

$1,480/mo

1-bed apartment

Affordability

6/10

Moderate Affordability

How affordable is Madison?

6/10

Moderate Affordability

Purchasing power score: 1.64× (take-home ÷ living costs)

With a cost of living index of 96 (US avg = 100) and average disposable income of $1,632/mo, Madison is a mid-tier cost market with reasonable affordability across most income levels.

Cost of Living Benchmarks

Cost Index

US avg = 100

Est. Monthly Rent

$1,480

1-bed, city avg

Avg Disposable

$1,632

after taxes + living costs

Median Salary

$60,641

across all tracked roles

Purchasing Power

1.64×

take-home ÷ costs

Jobs Tracked

791

job titles with data

Highest-Paying Jobs in Madison

By gross annual salary

1.Obstetricians And Gynecologists
$217,238
2.Neurologists
$216,130
3.Radiologists
$214,622
4.Nurse Anesthetists
$210,798
5.Anesthesiologists
$208,462
6.Ophthalmologists
$208,450
7.Orthodontists
$206,336
8.Orthopedic Surgeons
$203,313
9.Pediatricians
$195,597
10.Family Medicine Physicians
$193,205

Best Jobs for Disposable Income

After taxes and living costs

1.Obstetricians And Gynecologists
$10,645/mo
2.Neurologists
$10,578/mo
3.Radiologists
$10,486/mo
4.Nurse Anesthetists
$10,254/mo
5.Anesthesiologists
$10,111/mo
6.Ophthalmologists
$10,111/mo
7.Orthodontists
$9,982/mo
8.Orthopedic Surgeons
$9,798/mo
9.Pediatricians
$9,329/mo
10.Family Medicine Physicians
$9,183/mo

Jobs With Tightest Budgets in Madison

These roles leave the least disposable income after living costs — worth knowing before accepting an offer.

Sales And Related Workers

$12/mo left

$42,442/yr gross

Electrical

$13/mo left

$42,456/yr gross

Coaches And Scouts

$14/mo left

$42,481/yr gross

Textile Knitting And Weaving Machine Setters

$14/mo left

$42,472/yr gross

Doortodoor Sales Workers

$18/mo left

$42,542/yr gross

Explore Madison Further

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All data derived from BLS OEWS metro data and regional cost-of-living indices. Figures are estimates; verify with local sources before making decisions.