Chemist Salary in Madison, WI
Chemists in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median $78,730 a year — 14% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $61,424 take-home, or $5,119 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chemist salary in Madison, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,491
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,881
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,142
- Wisconsin income tax$2,792
- Take-home pay$61,424
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.30% state
Chemist pay by experience in Madison, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,020 | $25.01 | $42,470 | $3,539 |
| 25th percentile | $64,760 | $31.13 | $52,146 | $4,346 |
| Median (50th) | $78,730 | $37.85 | $61,424 | $5,119 |
| 75th percentile | $84,790 | $40.76 | $65,366 | $5,447 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,450 | $52.62 | $81,408 | $6,784 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $78,730 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 chemist's $61,424 take-home pay has the buying power of $63,137 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 3.6× the national concentration of chemist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for chemists, adjusted for cost of living
Madison, WI ranks #27 of 35 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $144,680 | $100,825 | $92,599 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $127,290 | $92,124 | $85,091 |
| 3 | Houston, TX | $106,740 | $83,922 | $85,088 |
| 4 | Baltimore, MD | $118,880 | $87,148 | $83,406 |
| 5 | Cincinnati, OH | $96,170 | $74,623 | $78,246 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $127,790 | $89,294 | $77,236 |
| 7 | Columbus, OH | $94,170 | $73,271 | $76,749 |
| 8 | Boulder, CO | $105,590 | $79,175 | $75,260 |
| 27 | Madison, WI | $78,730 | $61,424 | $63,137 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 35 metros →
Chemist salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- Milwaukee, WI — $78,860
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemist make in Madison, WI?
The median chemist salary in the Madison, WI metro area is $78,730 a year, or about $37.85 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $64,760 and $84,790.
What is a chemist’s take-home pay in Madison, WI?
On the median $78,730 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $61,424 a year ($5,119 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,792 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Madison, WI a good place to work as a chemist?
Pay here is 14% below the national median of $91,240. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $63,137 would in a typical U.S. city. Madison, WI ranks #27 of 35 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chemist 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) — 27% of a median chemist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $85,570
- Biological Scientists, All Other — $77,550
- Biological Technician — $51,750