Technology Madison, WI Pop. 269,840

Software Engineer Salary in Madison, Wisconsin

The median software engineer salary in Madison, WI is $124,200 per year, which is 0.0% above the national median and 8.7% above the Wisconsin state average.

City Median
$124,200
vs State Avg
+$9,936
vs National
+$0
Cost of Living
100%

Software Engineer Pay in Madison: What to Expect (2026)

Madison offers a median software engineer salary of $124,200, which is $9,936 above the Wisconsin state average of $114,264. Compared to the national median of $124,200, Madison pays above average for this role.

Madison's cost of living is 100% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for software engineers in Madison spans from $74,600 at the 10th percentile to $198,580 at the 90th percentile — a $123,980 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $78,000, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $185,000. With a population of 269,840, Madison is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Software Engineer Salary in Madison by Experience

In Madison, an entry-level software engineer earns around $78,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $185,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 100% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$78,000
+$0 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$125,000
+$0 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$185,000
+$0 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Madison, WI

Percentile Madison
10th Percentile $74,600
25th Percentile $98,200
Median (50th) $124,200
75th Percentile $158,200
90th Percentile $198,580

Software Engineer Salary in Other Wisconsin Cities

Milwaukee, WI
$114,264
Pop. 577,222
Kenosha, WI
$111,780
Pop. 99,986
Green Bay, WI
$109,296
Pop. 107,395
Racine, WI
$106,812
Pop. 77,816

How to Become a Software Engineer in Madison

Education

Most software engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Madison and the surrounding Wisconsin area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PythonJavaScriptSQLGitCloud PlatformsSystem Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, software engineer employment is projected to grow 25% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Madison may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Madison

Browse open software engineer positions in Madison, WI:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Madison

How much does a Software Engineer make in Madison, WI? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Madison, Wisconsin is $124,200 per year, which is 0.0% above the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $74,600 (10th percentile) to $198,580 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Madison? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $124,200, a software engineer in Madison earns approximately $60 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Madison compare to the Wisconsin state average for software engineer pay? ▼
Madison's median software engineer salary of $124,200 is 8.7% above the Wisconsin state average of $114,264. The local cost of living index is 100% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Madison, WI? ▼
Madison has a cost of living index of 100% compared to the national average. This means a software engineer salary of $124,200 in Madison has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Madison? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Madison require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git. The job market is projected to grow 25% nationally over the next decade.