Firefighter Salary in Madison, WI
Firefighters in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median $56,430 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $45,820 take-home, or $3,818 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Madison, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,592
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,499
- Medicare (1.45%)$818
- Wisconsin income tax$1,702
- Take-home pay$45,820
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Firefighter pay by experience in Madison, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,570 | $12.77 | $23,074 | $1,923 |
| 25th percentile | $36,920 | $17.75 | $31,002 | $2,583 |
| Median (50th) | $56,430 | $27.13 | $45,820 | $3,818 |
| 75th percentile | $77,050 | $37.04 | $60,332 | $5,028 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,050 | $37.04 | $60,332 | $5,028 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $56,430 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 firefighter's $45,820 take-home pay has the buying power of $47,097 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 1.4× the national concentration of firefighter jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for firefighters, adjusted for cost of living
Madison, WI ranks #73 of 133 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $152,100 | $103,333 | $93,580 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $101,090 | $79,947 | $71,938 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $113,700 | $80,995 | $70,057 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $106,420 | $78,458 | $69,701 |
| 5 | Rochester, NY | $89,120 | $67,308 | $69,365 |
| 6 | Spokane, WA | $83,310 | $67,439 | $67,206 |
| 7 | Reno, NV | $81,360 | $66,067 | $65,404 |
| 8 | Sacramento, CA | $94,080 | $69,272 | $64,941 |
| 73 | Madison, WI | $56,430 | $45,820 | $47,097 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 133 metros →
Firefighter salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- Green Bay, WI — $47,980
- Milwaukee, WI — $49,760
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Madison, WI?
The median firefighter salary in the Madison, WI metro area is $56,430 a year, or about $27.13 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,920 and $77,050.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Madison, WI?
On the median $56,430 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $45,820 a year ($3,818 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,702 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Madison, WI a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $47,097 would in a typical U.S. city. Madison, WI ranks #73 of 133 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter 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) — 36% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $80,580
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $76,250
- Security Guard — $38,020