Trades · Madison, WI

Plumber Salary in Madison, WI (2026)

Median Plumber salary in Madison is approximately $60,400/year — 1.0% below the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Madison

$60,400
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$29
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$2,323
Monthly
$5,033
Annual (gross)
$60,400
vs Wisconsin state average
State avg: $56,700
+$3,700
vs US national
National median: $61,000
-$600

After-tax estimate

$44,303
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$60,400
Federal tax (~14%)
−$8,456
FICA (7.65%)
−$4,621
Wisconsin state tax
~5% effective
−$3,020
Estimated take-home
$44,303
Monthly take-home
$3,692
For exact take-home, use our Madison Paycheck Calculator.
Plumber salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Madison
Dallas, TX0.99×$60,400+$0
Nashville, TN0.99×$60,400+$0
Colorado Springs, CO0.99×$60,400+$0
Bakersfield, CA0.99×$60,400+$0
St. Petersburg, FL0.99×$60,400+$0

Plumber salaries in Madison, WI

The estimated median Plumber salary in Madison, Wisconsin is $60,400/year, working out to approximately $29/hour at full-time, $2,323 per biweekly paycheck, or $5,033/month before taxes. Madison's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.99× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Compared to the Wisconsin state average for this role ($56,700), Madison pays about $3,700 more. This typically reflects how the metro area's cost of living and employer density differ from the state as a whole.

Take-home pay in Madison

Of the gross $60,400, you take home roughly $44,303 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • Wisconsin state income tax (~5% effective)
  • Madison has no local income tax

That works out to about $3,692/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Madison Paycheck Calculator.

What affects your actual pay

  • Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Specific employer: top-tier employers in Madison pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Madison typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
  • Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
  • Remote vs in-office: many Madison employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Plumber Salary in Wisconsin — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Madison Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Plumber salary in Madison?
The estimated median Plumber salary in Madison, Wisconsin is $60,400 per year, or approximately $29/hour at standard full-time. Madison sits 1.0% below the US national average for this role.
Madison vs Wisconsin state — what's the salary difference?
Madison: $60,400. Wisconsin state average for Plumber: $56,700. Difference: +$3,700 (6.5%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Madison have a city income tax?
No, Madison has no separate city income tax. Only federal income tax, FICA, and Wisconsin state tax apply (roughly 5% effective state rate at this income).
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Madison's cost of living relative to the US average. Madison's multiplier is 0.99× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Plumber in Madison?
Estimate: $44,303/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Wisconsin state tax (~5.0% effective), and Madison local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the Madison Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.