Skip to main content

Federal Government Employee 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.

Federal Government Employee Salary in Madison — Key Numbers

$98,940
Median Salary
$65,280
25th Percentile
$137,700
75th Percentile
$178,500
90th Percentile
National median (Federal Government Employee)$97,000
vs. National median+2.0%
Madison median household income$74,200
vs. City household income+33.3%

Cost of Living in Madison

Cost of Living Index
102(100 = avg)
Median Monthly Rent$1,499/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio18.2%
Annual rent cost$17,988
Median Home Price$380,000
Home Price / Salary3.8×
20% Down Payment$76,000
Years to save (20% rate)3.8 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

💰
Take-Home Pay Calculator
See your net pay on $98,940/yr
⏱️
Salary to Hourly
Convert $98,940/yr to hourly rate
🏙️
Cost of Living — Madison
Compare Madison to other cities
🏠
Rent vs. Buy in Madison
Is buying worth it on your salary?
📊
Budget Planner
Plan your budget in Madison
🗺️
Federal Government Employee Salary in Wisconsin
Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Madison

Physician$233,886Chief Executive Officer$214,200Dentist$179,020IT Manager$172,900Marketing Manager$160,772Lawyer$148,675

Federal Government Employee Salary — Other Wisconsin Cities

Milwaukee, WI$87,300

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Federal Government Employee make in Madison, WI?

The estimated median salary for a Federal Government Employee in Madison is $98,940 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $97,000 adjusted by Madison's cost of living index (102). The typical salary range runs from $65,280 (25th percentile) to $137,700 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $178,500.

Is Madison affordable for a Federal Government Employee?

On a $98,940 annual salary, a Federal Government Employee in Madison would spend approximately 18.2% 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 3.8× the annual salary.

How does a Federal Government Employee's salary compare to Madison's overall income?

Madison's median household income is $74,200. A Federal Government Employee earning the city-adjusted median of $98,940 earns 33.3% more than the typical Madison household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

Federal Government Employee — NationalFederal Government Employee 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.