Chief Executive Salary in Madison, WI
Chief Executives in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median $217,010 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $151,334 take-home, or $12,611 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chief executive salary in Madison, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$40,816
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$3,300
- Wisconsin income tax$10,121
- Take-home pay$151,334
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 5.30% state
Chief Executive pay by experience in Madison, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $122,970 | $59.12 | $90,179 | $7,515 |
| 25th percentile | $172,040 | $82.71 | $121,118 | $10,093 |
| Median (50th) | $217,010 | $104.33 | $151,334 | $12,611 |
| 75th percentile | $325,550+ | $156.51 | $215,310 | $17,943 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $402,710+ | $193.61 | $258,261 | $21,522 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $217,010 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 chief executive's $151,334 take-home pay has the buying power of $155,554 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 1.7× the national concentration of chief executive jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for chief executives, adjusted for cost of living
Madison, WI ranks #33 of 55 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $239,200+ | $259,032 | $233,083 |
| 2 | Bridgeport, CT | $239,200+ | $247,855 | $231,935 |
| 3 | Charlotte, NC | $239,200+ | $220,744 | $226,758 |
| 4 | Dallas, TX | $239,200+ | $227,744 | $220,918 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $239,200+ | $226,413 | $218,556 |
| 6 | Richmond, VA | $239,200+ | $213,626 | $218,302 |
| 7 | Des Moines, IA | $239,200+ | $199,056 | $217,070 |
| 8 | Portland, OR | $239,200+ | $227,767 | $216,055 |
| 33 | Madison, WI | $217,010 | $151,334 | $155,554 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 55 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chief executive make in Madison, WI?
The median chief executive salary in the Madison, WI metro area is $217,010 a year, or about $104.33 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $172,040 and $239,200+.
What is a chief executive’s take-home pay in Madison, WI?
On the median $217,010 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $151,334 a year ($12,611 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $10,121 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Madison, WI a good place to work as a chief executive?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $213,990. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $155,554 would in a typical U.S. city. Madison, WI ranks #33 of 55 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chief executive 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) — 11% of a median chief executive’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $168,900
- Architectural and Engineering Manager — $160,700
- Financial Manager — $148,970
- Sales Manager — $146,380
- Human Resources Manager — $140,680
- Marketing Manager — $138,270
- Natural Sciences Manager — $136,990
- Medical and Health Services Manager — $131,640
- Managers, All Other — $129,330
- Industrial Production Manager — $127,020
- General and Operations Manager — $126,620
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary — $126,320