Computer Programmer salary in Madison, WI
Computer Programmers in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $97,410 a year ($46.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,490 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $100,390. There are 0.68 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $102,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer programmers in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,860 | $31.19 |
| 25th percentile | $75,490 | $36.29 |
| Median | $97,410 | $46.83 |
| 75th percentile | $128,110 | $61.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $163,490 | $78.60 |
| Average (mean) | $102,860 | $49.45 |
Half of computer programmers 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 | $8,117.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,058.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,746.54 |
| Weekly | $1,873.27 |
| Hourly | $46.83 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Computer Programmer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $118,000 | 1,570 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $86,970 | 40 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $85,280 | 580 |
| Kenosha, WI | $85,020 | 80 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $81,970 | 50 |
| Green Bay, WI | $81,470 | 70 |
| Appleton, WI | $79,270 | 50 |
| Wausau, WI | $73,250 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for computer programmers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $133,820 |
| Massachusetts | $128,390 |
| Washington | $125,620 |
| Maryland | $125,570 |
| Virginia | $121,610 |
| Hawaii | $118,180 |
| California | $116,760 |
| Arkansas | $111,840 |
| Minnesota | $107,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,940 |
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $130,630 | $62.80 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $59,590 | $28.65 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $100,550 | $48.34 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $97,840 | $47.04 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $97,950 | $47.09 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $91,580 | $44.03 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $90,400 | $43.46 |
| Database Administrator | $105,680 | $50.81 |
| Information Security Analyst | $104,110 | $50.05 |
| Computer Network Architect | $135,490 | $65.14 |
| Web Developer | $83,500 | $40.14 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Database Architect | $155,160 | $74.60 |
| Operations Research Analyst | $75,650 | $36.37 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1251. 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 computer programmer make in Madison, WI?
The median salary for computer programmers in the Madison, WI metro area is $97,410 a year, or $46.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of computer programmers in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $163,490 a year. The top 25% earn $128,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,860 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $75,490 or less.
How many computer programmers work in Madison, WI?
About 280 computer programmers are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.