Civil Engineer Salary in Madison, WI
Civil Engineers in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median $99,010 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $74,617 take-home, or $6,218 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median civil engineer salary in Madison, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,952
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,139
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,436
- Wisconsin income tax$3,867
- Take-home pay$74,617
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.30% state
Civil Engineer pay by experience in Madison, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,980 | $35.09 | $57,684 | $4,807 |
| 25th percentile | $80,950 | $38.92 | $62,868 | $5,239 |
| Median (50th) | $99,010 | $47.60 | $74,617 | $6,218 |
| 75th percentile | $122,490 | $58.89 | $89,876 | $7,490 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,040 | $64.44 | $97,159 | $8,097 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $99,010 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 civil engineer's $74,617 take-home pay has the buying power of $76,697 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 1.6× the national concentration of civil engineer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for civil engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Madison, WI ranks #65 of 125 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennewick, WA | $121,370 | $94,214 | $94,139 |
| 2 | Baton Rouge, LA | $112,430 | $84,938 | $93,565 |
| 3 | Mobile, AL | $107,810 | $79,549 | $90,296 |
| 4 | New Orleans, LA | $108,240 | $82,116 | $88,681 |
| 5 | Sioux Falls, SD | $99,700 | $78,969 | $87,132 |
| 6 | Tulsa, OK | $102,080 | $76,595 | $85,856 |
| 7 | Sacramento, CA | $130,150 | $90,657 | $84,988 |
| 8 | Beaumont, TX | $95,510 | $76,021 | $84,425 |
| 65 | Madison, WI | $99,010 | $74,617 | $76,697 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 125 metros →
Civil Engineer salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- Green Bay, WI — $93,660
- Milwaukee, WI — $96,190
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Madison, WI?
The median civil engineer salary in the Madison, WI metro area is $99,010 a year, or about $47.60 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $80,950 and $122,490.
What is a civil engineer’s take-home pay in Madison, WI?
On the median $99,010 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $74,617 a year ($6,218 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,867 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Madison, WI a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $100,840. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $76,697 would in a typical U.S. city. Madison, WI ranks #65 of 125 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a civil engineer 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 civil engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
- Electrical Engineer — $102,420
- Industrial Engineer — $100,370
- Mechanical Engineer — $99,680