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Software Engineer Salary in Madison, Wisconsin

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$130,160/ year

Median Software Engineer in Madison, WI

$80,360
10th
$98,000
25th
$130,160
Median
$166,000
75th
$202,520
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$130,160
Total compensation (est.)
$149,684
Bonus range
$4,900 – $19,920
Mean salary
$137,970

How This Compares

ℹ

Local BLS metro data isn't available for Madison yet — showing the national median as a reference. Add local data →

Madison, WI median
$130,160
Wisconsin median
$132,763-2.0%
National median
$130,160

Cost of living in Madison is 0% below the national average. Salary of $130,160 here is equivalent to $130,160 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$93,715-28.0%
3-5 years
$118,446-9.0%
6-10 years
$145,779+12.0%
10+ years
$179,621+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$114,541-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$130,160
Enterprise (5,000+)
$153,589+18.0%

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$30K$500K

Software Engineer Salaries in Nearby Cities

Milwaukee, WI$130,160/yr
Green Bay, WI$130,160/yr
Kenosha, WI$130,160/yr
Racine, WI$130,160/yr

Related Jobs in Madison

Senior Software Engineer$130,160/yr
Frontend Developer$124,890/yr
Backend Developer$130,160/yr
Full Stack Developer$130,160/yr
Data Scientist$108,020/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$63/hr
Monthly gross$10,847/mo
25th percentile$98,000/yr
75th percentile$166,000/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Feb 2026

4.4%+0.10

Wisconsin Unemployment

Dec 2025

3.1%

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.32+$0.15

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.33%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Software Engineer Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Software Engineer salary in Madison?

The median Software Engineer salary in Madison is $130,160 per year, with a range from $98,000 at the 25th percentile to $166,000 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

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

Software Engineer salaries in Madison are 0% above the national median of $130,160. After adjusting for Madison's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $130,160 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Software Engineer salaries in Madison?

In Madison, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Software Engineer roles start around $80,360, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $202,520 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Madison a good place for Software Engineer jobs?

Madison offers a Software Engineer median of $130,160, which is 0% above the US median of $130,160. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Madison is 0% cheaper than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Software Engineer salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Software Engineer in Madison is $166,000, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.