Chief Executive salary in Madison, WI
Chief Executives in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $217,010 a year ($104.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 900 workers.
Pay ranges from $122,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $402,710 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $213,990. Pay here is 4% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $208,350. There are 2.2 chief executives per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $262,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chief executives in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $122,970 | $59.12 |
| 25th percentile | $172,040 | $82.71 |
| Median | $217,010 | $104.33 |
| 75th percentile | $325,550 | $156.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $402,710 | $193.61 |
| Average (mean) | $262,920 | $126.40 |
Half of chief executives earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $18,084.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $9,042.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $8,346.54 |
| Weekly | $4,173.27 |
| Hourly | $104.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chief Executive salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $233,760 | 170 |
| Green Bay, WI | $222,320 | 390 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $218,840 | 100 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $216,240 | n/a |
| Kenosha, WI | $215,930 | 120 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $210,790 | 150 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $209,980 | 4,500 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $204,710 | 120 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $203,220 | 120 |
| Wausau, WI | $202,460 | 120 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $201,720 | 70 |
| Appleton, WI | $201,300 | 230 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $195,040 | 130 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $158,260 | 240 |
Highest-paying states for chief executives
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $341,630 |
| Washington | $339,810 |
| Illinois | $331,920 |
| North Carolina | $314,290 |
| Virginia | $310,740 |
| New Jersey | $310,440 |
| Connecticut | $295,120 |
| Hawaii | $281,640 |
| South Dakota | $280,900 |
| New York | $257,980 |
See Chief Executive pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | $126,620 | $60.88 |
| Managers, All Other | $129,330 | $62.18 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $168,900 | $81.20 |
| Financial Manager | $148,970 | $71.62 |
| Sales Manager | $146,380 | $70.37 |
| Industrial Production Manager | $127,020 | $61.07 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $112,280 | $53.98 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $131,640 | $63.29 |
| Marketing Manager | $138,270 | $66.48 |
| Construction Manager | $119,840 | $57.62 |
| Food Service Manager | $63,180 | $30.38 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $160,700 | $77.26 |
| Human Resources Manager | $140,680 | $67.63 |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $100,340 | $48.24 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chief executive make in Madison, WI?
The median salary for chief executives in the Madison, WI metro area is $217,010 a year, or $104.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $122,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $402,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chief executives make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of chief executives in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $402,710 a year. The top 25% earn $325,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for chief executives in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $122,970 a year, and a quarter of chief executives earn $172,040 or less.
How many chief executives work in Madison, WI?
About 900 chief executives are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.