Data Scientist 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.
Data Scientist Salary in Madison — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Madison
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
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
Other Professions in Madison
Data Scientist Salary — Other Wisconsin Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Data Scientist make in Madison, WI?
The estimated median salary for a Data Scientist in Madison is $114,842 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $112,590 adjusted by Madison's cost of living index (102). The typical salary range runs from $84,211 (25th percentile) to $153,551 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $194,341.
Is Madison affordable for a Data Scientist?
On a $114,842 annual salary, a Data Scientist in Madison would spend approximately 15.7% 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 3.3× the annual salary.
How does a Data Scientist's salary compare to Madison's overall income?
Madison's median household income is $74,200. A Data Scientist earning the city-adjusted median of $114,842 earns 54.8% more than the typical Madison household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.
Explore More Salary Data
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.