Receptionist and Information Clerk Salary in Madison, WI
Receptionists and Information Clerks in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median $43,600 a year — 15% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $36,075 take-home, or $3,006 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median receptionist and information clerk salary in Madison, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,052
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,703
- Medicare (1.45%)$632
- Wisconsin income tax$1,137
- Take-home pay$36,075
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Receptionist and Information Clerk pay by experience in Madison, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,990 | $14.42 | $25,738 | $2,145 |
| 25th percentile | $36,860 | $17.72 | $30,956 | $2,580 |
| Median (50th) | $43,600 | $20.96 | $36,075 | $3,006 |
| 75th percentile | $47,310 | $22.75 | $38,893 | $3,241 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,460 | $24.26 | $41,285 | $3,440 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $43,600 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 receptionist and information clerk's $36,075 take-home pay has the buying power of $37,081 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 receptionist and information clerk jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for receptionists and information clerks, adjusted for cost of living
Madison, WI ranks #1 of 68 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madison, WI | $43,600 | $36,075 | $37,081 |
| 2 | Milwaukee, WI | $42,920 | $35,559 | $36,682 |
| 3 | Sioux Falls, SD | $38,560 | $33,163 | $36,591 |
| 4 | Spokane, WA | $41,800 | $35,766 | $35,643 |
| 5 | Omaha, NE | $38,740 | $32,424 | $35,278 |
| 6 | Seattle, WA | $45,820 | $38,996 | $35,090 |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $47,130 | $38,559 | $34,919 |
| 8 | San Francisco, CA | $49,450 | $40,254 | $34,818 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 68 metros →
About the job: receptionists and information clerks
Answer inquiries and provide information to the general public, customers, visitors, and other interested parties regarding activities conducted at establishment and location of departments, offices, and employees within the organization.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -1.7% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Receptionist and Information Clerk salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- Milwaukee, WI — $42,920
Frequently asked questions
How much does a receptionist and information clerk make in Madison, WI?
The median receptionist and information clerk salary in the Madison, WI metro area is $43,600 a year, or about $20.96 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,860 and $47,310.
What is a receptionist and information clerk’s take-home pay in Madison, WI?
On the median $43,600 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $36,075 a year ($3,006 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,137 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Madison, WI a good place to work as a receptionist and information clerk?
Pay here is 15% above the national median of $38,010. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $37,081 would in a typical U.S. city. Madison, WI ranks #1 of 68 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a receptionist and information clerk 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) — 46% of a median receptionist and information clerk’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.