Pharmacist Salary in Madison, WI
Pharmacists in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median $158,120 a year — 12% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $112,341 take-home, or $9,362 a month.
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- Federal income tax$26,683
- Social Security (6.2%)$9,803
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,293
- Wisconsin income tax$7,000
- Take-home pay$112,341
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 5.30% state
Pharmacist pay by experience in Madison, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $112,140 | $53.91 | $83,158 | $6,930 |
| 25th percentile | $130,000 | $62.50 | $94,612 | $7,884 |
| Median (50th) | $158,120 | $76.02 | $112,341 | $9,362 |
| 75th percentile | $169,980 | $81.72 | $119,819 | $9,985 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,980 | $81.72 | $119,819 | $9,985 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $158,120 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 pharmacist's $112,341 take-home pay has the buying power of $115,474 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 1.3× the national concentration of pharmacist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for pharmacists, adjusted for cost of living
Madison, WI ranks #13 of 120 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rochester, MN | $164,250 | $113,470 | $124,938 |
| 2 | Sioux Falls, SD | $148,330 | $112,650 | $124,295 |
| 3 | McAllen, TX | $137,700 | $105,384 | $122,689 |
| 4 | San Antonio, TX | $150,500 | $114,133 | $120,500 |
| 5 | Shreveport, LA | $137,970 | $101,816 | $120,114 |
| 6 | San Jose, CA | $199,040 | $131,343 | $118,945 |
| 7 | Spartanburg, SC | $153,610 | $108,199 | $118,833 |
| 8 | Fargo, ND | $142,040 | $106,840 | $117,573 |
| 13 | Madison, WI | $158,120 | $112,341 | $115,474 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 120 metros →
Pharmacist salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- Milwaukee, WI — $153,340
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacist make in Madison, WI?
The median pharmacist salary in the Madison, WI metro area is $158,120 a year, or about $76.02 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $130,000 and $169,980.
What is a pharmacist’s take-home pay in Madison, WI?
On the median $158,120 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $112,341 a year ($9,362 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $7,000 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Madison, WI a good place to work as a pharmacist?
Pay here is 12% above the national median of $140,910. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $115,474 would in a typical U.S. city. Madison, WI ranks #13 of 120 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a pharmacist 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) — 15% of a median pharmacist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Physician Assistant — $133,950
- Nurse Practitioner — $133,080
- Physical Therapist — $102,810
- Registered Nurse — $101,190
- Dental Hygienist — $100,340
- Occupational Therapist — $95,670
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $80,920
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $64,550
- Psychiatric Technician — $64,380
- Medical Records Specialist — $61,860
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $59,090