Home / Locations / Madison, WI Metro area profile Top Paying Jobs in Madison, WI (2026) Madison, WI has 240 jobs across diverse industries. The highest-paying occupations include General Internal Medicine Physicians ($229,020), Chief Executives ($228,960), Dentists, General ($210,870). The cost of living index is 97.29 (national average = 100). Median 2-bedroom rent is $1,168/month.
97.29
Cost of living index
Highest paying careers in Madison Rank Occupation Category Median salary Hourly 1 General Internal Medicine Physicians Healthcare $229K $110.1/hr 2 Chief Executives Management $229K $110.08/hr 3 Dentists, General Healthcare $211K $101.38/hr 4 Obstetricians and Gynecologists Healthcare $178K $85.57/hr 5 Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary Education $174K $/hr 6 Pediatricians, General Healthcare $168K $80.84/hr 7 Architectural and Engineering Managers Management $161K $77.48/hr 8 Database Architects Technology $158K $76.03/hr 9 Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary Education $152K $/hr 10 Sales Managers Management $152K $72.89/hr 11 Financial Managers Management $149K $71.72/hr 12 Pharmacists Healthcare $144K $69.2/hr 13 Computer and Information Systems Managers Management $138K $66.35/hr 14 Medical and Health Services Managers Management $138K $66.31/hr 15 Physician Assistants Healthcare $137K $65.86/hr 16 Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary Education $137K $/hr 17 Human Resources Managers Management $137K $65.68/hr 18 Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary Education $135K $/hr 19 Nurse Practitioners Healthcare $134K $64.52/hr 20 Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary Education $134K $/hr 21 Marketing Managers Management $133K $64.16/hr 22 Education Administrators, Postsecondary Management $133K $64.08/hr 23 Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary Education $132K $/hr 24 Natural Sciences Managers Management $132K $63.25/hr 25 Business Teachers, Postsecondary Education $132K $/hr
Affordability snapshot: Madison Cost of living vs. national average -2.7% less expensive
Studio apartment (FMR) $/mo
1-bedroom apartment (FMR) $/mo
2-bedroom apartment (FMR) $1,168/mo
3-bedroom apartment (FMR) $/mo
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities.
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