How does a Dentist's salary in Madison compare to the rest of Wisconsin?

Madison's cost of living index is 102 vs. the national average of 100, so salaries are adjusted upward accordingly. A Dentist earning the city-adjusted median of $179,020 earns $104,820 more than the median household income in Madison ($74,200).

Dentist 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.

Dentist Salary in Madison — Key Numbers

$179,020

Median Salary

$117,779

25th Percentile

$243,811

75th Percentile

$306,000

90th Percentile

National median (Dentist)$175,510

vs. National median+2.0%

Madison median household income$74,200

vs. City household income+141.3%

Cost of Living in Madison

Cost of Living Index

102(100 = avg)

Median Monthly Rent$1,499/mo

Rent-to-Income Ratio10.0%

Annual rent cost$17,988

Median Home Price$380,000

Home Price / Salary2.1×

20% Down Payment$76,000

Years to save (20% rate)2.1 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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Dentist Salary in Wisconsin

Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Madison

Physician$233,886 Chief Executive Officer$214,200 IT Manager$172,900 Marketing Manager$160,772 Lawyer$148,675 HR Manager$139,077

Dentist Salary — Other Wisconsin Cities

Milwaukee, WI$157,959

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Dentist make in Madison, WI?

The estimated median salary for a Dentist in Madison is $179,020 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $175,510 adjusted by Madison's cost of living index (102). The typical salary range runs from $117,779 (25th percentile) to $243,811 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $306,000.

Is Madison affordable for a Dentist?

On a $179,020 annual salary, a Dentist in Madison would spend approximately 10.0% 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 2.1× the annual salary.

How does a Dentist's salary compare to Madison's overall income?

Madison's median household income is $74,200. A Dentist earning the city-adjusted median of $179,020 earns 141.3% more than the typical Madison household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

Dentist — National Dentist in Wisconsin All 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.