Social Worker Salary in Madison, WI (2026)
Median Social Worker salary in Madison is approximately $54,500/year — 1.0% below the US national average.
Salary breakdown — Madison
After-tax estimate
| City | Cost mult. | Estimated annual | vs Madison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 0.99× | $54,500 | +$0 |
| Nashville, TN | 0.99× | $54,500 | +$0 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 0.99× | $54,500 | +$0 |
| Bakersfield, CA | 0.99× | $54,500 | +$0 |
| St. Petersburg, FL | 0.99× | $54,500 | +$0 |
Social Worker salaries in Madison, WI
The estimated median Social Worker salary in Madison, Wisconsin is $54,500/year, working out to approximately $26/hour at full-time, $2,096 per biweekly paycheck, or $4,542/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 ($51,200), Madison pays about $3,300 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 $54,500, you take home roughly $39,976 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 $3,331/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
Social Worker 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.