Nursing Assistant Salary in Madison, WI
Nursing Assistants in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median $45,260 a year — 7% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $37,336 take-home, or $3,111 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$3,251
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,806
- Medicare (1.45%)$656
- Wisconsin income tax$1,210
- Take-home pay$37,336
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Nursing Assistant pay by experience in Madison, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,470 | $18.98 | $32,938 | $2,745 |
| 25th percentile | $40,230 | $19.34 | $33,516 | $2,793 |
| Median (50th) | $45,260 | $21.76 | $37,336 | $3,111 |
| 75th percentile | $47,390 | $22.78 | $38,954 | $3,246 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,990 | $26.92 | $45,485 | $3,790 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $45,260 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 nursing assistant's $37,336 take-home pay has the buying power of $38,377 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Nursing Assistant jobs are about as common in Madison, WI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.90).
Best-paying cities for nursing assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Madison, WI ranks #53 of 355 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Forks, ND | $45,740 | $38,932 | $44,924 |
| 2 | Bismarck, ND | $46,720 | $39,720 | $43,636 |
| 3 | Vineland, NJ | $48,890 | $40,310 | $42,003 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $46,840 | $38,129 | $41,982 |
| 5 | Yakima, WA | $47,080 | $40,009 | $41,874 |
| 6 | Longview, WA | $47,830 | $40,611 | $41,634 |
| 7 | Mankato, MN | $46,430 | $37,821 | $41,582 |
| 8 | San Jose, CA | $56,840 | $45,652 | $41,343 |
| 53 | Madison, WI | $45,260 | $37,336 | $38,377 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 355 metros →
Nursing Assistant salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- Sheboygan, WI — $47,050
- Fond du Lac, WI — $44,490
- Appleton, WI — $44,760
- Oshkosh, WI — $44,590
- Racine, WI — $45,710
- La Crosse, WI — $43,510
- Wausau, WI — $43,660
- Milwaukee, WI — $45,690
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Madison, WI?
The median nursing assistant salary in the Madison, WI metro area is $45,260 a year, or about $21.76 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $40,230 and $47,390.
What is a nursing assistant’s take-home pay in Madison, WI?
On the median $45,260 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $37,336 a year ($3,111 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,210 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Madison, WI a good place to work as a nursing assistant?
Pay here is 7% above the national median of $42,260. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $38,377 would in a typical U.S. city. Madison, WI ranks #53 of 355 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a nursing assistant 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) — 44% of a median nursing assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
- Dental Assistant — $49,930
- Medical Assistant — $48,750
- Phlebotomist — $47,740
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $37,220