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Chief Executive Officer Salary in Madison, WI — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Madison's cost of living (index: 102). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Chief Executive Officer Salary in Madison — Key Numbers

$214,200
Median Salary
$122,400
25th Percentile
$382,500
75th Percentile
$510,000
90th Percentile
National median (Chief Executive Officer)$210,000
vs. National median+2.0%
Madison median household income$74,200
vs. City household income+188.7%

Cost of Living in Madison

Cost of Living Index
102(100 = avg)
Median Monthly Rent$1,499/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio8.4%
Annual rent cost$17,988
Median Home Price$380,000
Home Price / Salary1.8×
20% Down Payment$76,000
Years to save (20% rate)1.8 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Madison

2.4%
Unemployment Rate
680,000
Metro Population
22 min
Avg Commute
31.6
Median Age

Madison has a metro population of 680,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 2.4% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.

Financial Calculators for Madison

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Cost of Living — Madison
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Chief Executive Officer Salary in Wisconsin
Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Madison

Physician$233,886Dentist$179,020IT Manager$172,900Marketing Manager$160,772Lawyer$148,675HR Manager$139,077

Chief Executive Officer Salary — Other Wisconsin Cities

Milwaukee, WI$189,000

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Chief Executive Officer make in Madison, WI?

The estimated median salary for a Chief Executive Officer in Madison is $214,200 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $210,000 adjusted by Madison's cost of living index (102). The typical salary range runs from $122,400 (25th percentile) to $382,500 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $510,000.

Is Madison affordable for a Chief Executive Officer?

On a $214,200 annual salary, a Chief Executive Officer in Madison would spend approximately 8.4% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,499/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Madison relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $380,000 is 1.8× the annual salary.

How does a Chief Executive Officer's salary compare to Madison's overall income?

Madison's median household income is $74,200. A Chief Executive Officer earning the city-adjusted median of $214,200 earns 188.7% more than the typical Madison household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

Chief Executive Officer — NationalChief Executive Officer in WisconsinAll Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.