Retail Salesperson Salary in Madison, WI
Retail Salespersons in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median $35,830 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,174 take-home, or $2,514 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Madison, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,120
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,221
- Medicare (1.45%)$520
- Wisconsin income tax$795
- Take-home pay$30,174
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Retail Salesperson pay by experience in Madison, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,310 | $13.61 | $24,446 | $2,037 |
| 25th percentile | $30,030 | $14.44 | $25,769 | $2,147 |
| Median (50th) | $35,830 | $17.23 | $30,174 | $2,514 |
| 75th percentile | $38,970 | $18.74 | $32,559 | $2,713 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,190 | $23.65 | $40,321 | $3,360 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,830 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 retail salesperson's $30,174 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,015 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Retail Salesperson jobs are about as common in Madison, WI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.81).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Madison, WI ranks #24 of 237 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fargo, ND | $35,860 | $30,994 | $34,107 |
| 2 | St. Cloud, MN | $34,860 | $29,144 | $33,257 |
| 3 | Yakima, WA | $36,640 | $31,620 | $33,095 |
| 4 | Sioux Falls, SD | $34,600 | $29,981 | $33,080 |
| 5 | Rochester, MN | $36,000 | $29,999 | $33,030 |
| 6 | San Jose, CA | $44,220 | $36,378 | $32,944 |
| 7 | Duluth, MN | $34,650 | $28,986 | $32,654 |
| 8 | Rapid City, SD | $33,350 | $28,977 | $32,500 |
| 24 | Madison, WI | $35,830 | $30,174 | $31,015 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 237 metros →
About the job: retail salespersons
Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.3% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Retail Salesperson salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- Appleton, WI — $34,540
- Eau Claire, WI — $34,000
- Green Bay, WI — $34,090
- Milwaukee, WI — $34,410
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Madison, WI?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Madison, WI metro area is $35,830 a year, or about $17.23 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $30,030 and $38,970.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Madison, WI?
On the median $35,830 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $30,174 a year ($2,514 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $795 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Madison, WI a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,015 would in a typical U.S. city. Madison, WI ranks #24 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson 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) — 55% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.