Project Management Specialist Salary in Madison, WI
Project Management Specialists in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median $98,990 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $74,604 take-home, or $6,217 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median project management specialist salary in Madison, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,948
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,137
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,435
- Wisconsin income tax$3,866
- Take-home pay$74,604
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.30% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Project Management Specialist pay by experience in Madison, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,040 | $29.35 | $49,321 | $4,110 |
| 25th percentile | $78,400 | $37.69 | $61,210 | $5,101 |
| Median (50th) | $98,990 | $47.59 | $74,604 | $6,217 |
| 75th percentile | $124,040 | $59.63 | $90,854 | $7,571 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,690 | $65.72 | $98,830 | $8,236 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $98,990 buys in Madison, WI
Prices in Madison, WI are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 0% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median project management specialist's $74,604 take-home pay has the buying power of $76,684 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Madison, WI has 1.5× the national concentration of project management specialist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for project management specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Madison, WI ranks #41 of 64 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $130,380 | $100,381 | $90,325 |
| 2 | Boulder, CO | $122,040 | $90,019 | $85,568 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $135,120 | $93,527 | $84,699 |
| 4 | Des Moines, IA | $101,150 | $76,797 | $83,747 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $127,030 | $90,262 | $82,897 |
| 6 | Colorado Springs, CO | $111,740 | $83,231 | $82,647 |
| 7 | Austin, TX | $102,390 | $80,861 | $82,456 |
| 8 | Kansas City, MO | $101,050 | $76,107 | $82,239 |
| 41 | Madison, WI | $98,990 | $74,604 | $76,684 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 64 metros →
About the job: project management specialists
Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. May serve as a point of contact for the client or customer.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.7% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Project Management Specialist salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- Milwaukee, WI — $100,350
Frequently asked questions
How much does a project management specialist make in Madison, WI?
The median project management specialist salary in the Madison, WI metro area is $98,990 a year, or about $47.59 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $78,400 and $124,040.
What is a project management specialist’s take-home pay in Madison, WI?
On the median $98,990 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $74,604 a year ($6,217 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,866 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Madison, WI a good place to work as a project management specialist?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $102,320. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $76,684 would in a typical U.S. city. Madison, WI ranks #41 of 64 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a project management specialist afford rent in Madison, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Madison, WI is $1,377 a month ($1,600 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median project management specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
- Management Analyst — $97,170
- Accountant and Auditor — $81,130
- Human Resources Specialist — $76,660
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $76,230
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $67,990