Fundraiser Salary in Madison, WI
Fundraisers in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median $66,040 a year — 9% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $53,118 take-home, or $4,427 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median fundraiser salary in Madison, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,745
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,094
- Medicare (1.45%)$958
- Wisconsin income tax$2,125
- Take-home pay$53,118
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Fundraiser pay by experience in Madison, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,300 | $19.38 | $33,569 | $2,797 |
| 25th percentile | $54,480 | $26.19 | $44,339 | $3,695 |
| Median (50th) | $66,040 | $31.75 | $53,118 | $4,427 |
| 75th percentile | $82,640 | $39.73 | $63,968 | $5,331 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,150 | $49.59 | $77,310 | $6,442 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $66,040 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 fundraiser's $53,118 take-home pay has the buying power of $54,600 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 fundraiser jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for fundraisers, adjusted for cost of living
Madison, WI ranks #25 of 44 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $106,760 | $76,849 | $69,595 |
| 2 | Indianapolis, IN | $73,090 | $58,122 | $60,736 |
| 3 | Rochester, NY | $75,000 | $58,140 | $59,916 |
| 4 | Baltimore, MD | $81,020 | $62,343 | $59,666 |
| 5 | Buffalo, NY | $73,480 | $57,152 | $59,631 |
| 6 | Atlanta, GA | $76,490 | $59,294 | $59,259 |
| 7 | Seattle, WA | $80,920 | $65,757 | $59,170 |
| 8 | Kansas City, MO | $68,230 | $54,560 | $58,957 |
| 25 | Madison, WI | $66,040 | $53,118 | $54,600 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 44 metros →
Fundraiser salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- Milwaukee, WI — $66,080
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fundraiser make in Madison, WI?
The median fundraiser salary in the Madison, WI metro area is $66,040 a year, or about $31.75 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $54,480 and $82,640.
What is a fundraiser’s take-home pay in Madison, WI?
On the median $66,040 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $53,118 a year ($4,427 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,125 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Madison, WI a good place to work as a fundraiser?
Pay here is 9% below the national median of $72,550. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $54,600 would in a typical U.S. city. Madison, WI ranks #25 of 44 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a fundraiser 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) — 31% of a median fundraiser’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
- Personal Financial Advisor — $126,000
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $103,750
- Project Management Specialist — $98,990
- Management Analyst — $97,170
- Insurance Underwriter — $95,130
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $81,200
- Accountant and Auditor — $81,130
- Compliance Officer — $80,440
- Logistician — $79,910
- Loan Officer — $78,840
- Training and Development Specialist — $77,500
- Human Resources Specialist — $76,660