Highest paying jobs in Madison, WI
The best paying occupations in the Madison, WI metro area, ranked by median annual wage. Metro wage estimates are suppressed more often than state ones — BLS withholds any figure that too few local employers report — so an occupation missing here simply has no published local estimate.
Cost of living: prices here run 2.7% below the national average (2024).
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianMadison, WI | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emergency Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $340,150 | $78,030 – $436,410 | 170 |
| 2 | General Internal Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $329,670 | $74,160 – $420,040 | 270 |
| 3 | Physicians, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $301,940 | $81,650 – $460,070 | 850 |
| 4 | PsychiatristsDoctoral or professional degree | $296,230 | $76,220 – $453,440 | 160 |
| 5 | Family Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $291,000 | $114,400 – $360,140 | 160 |
| 6 | Nurse AnesthetistsMaster's degree | $283,980 | $223,690 – $324,990 | 150 |
| 7 | Obstetricians and GynecologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $227,650 | $77,570 – $419,420 | 80 |
| 8 | Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree | $217,010 | $122,970 – $402,710 | 900 |
| 9 | Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $176,460 | $126,510 – $305,240 | 270 |
| 10 | Computer and Information Systems ManagersBachelor's degree | $168,900 | $98,520 – $275,690 | 2,540 |
| 11 | Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree | $160,700 | $118,940 – $211,280 | 750 |
| 12 | PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree | $158,120 | $112,140 – $169,980 | 1,120 |
| 13 | Database ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $155,160 | $97,490 – $162,550 | 170 |
| 14 | Financial ManagersBachelor's degree | $148,970 | $83,830 – $253,800 | 2,320 |
| 15 | Sales ManagersBachelor's degree | $146,380 | $78,740 – $247,270 | 1,660 |
| 16 | Biological Science Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $142,490 | $74,510 – $218,860 | 210 |
| 17 | Human Resources ManagersBachelor's degree | $140,680 | $92,950 – $206,920 | 660 |
| 18 | Computer Science Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $140,660 | $84,800 – $238,130 | 90 |
| 19 | Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree | $138,270 | $94,470 – $204,410 | 1,000 |
| 20 | Engineering Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $137,840 | $83,420 – $224,260 | 340 |
| 21 | Business Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $137,060 | $78,770 – $332,780 | 270 |
| 22 | Natural Sciences ManagersBachelor's degree | $136,990 | $99,250 – $204,030 | 530 |
| 23 | PhysicistsDoctoral or professional degree | $136,450 | $89,310 – $197,140 | 80 |
| 24 | Computer Network ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $135,490 | $87,710 – $187,280 | 340 |
| 25 | ActuariesBachelor's degree | $135,330 | $81,140 – $216,530 | 170 |
| 26 | RadiologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $135,040 | $80,960 – $671,770 | 90 |
| 27 | Physician AssistantsMaster's degree | $133,950 | $57,980 – $164,900 | 490 |
| 28 | Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree | $133,080 | $108,360 – $167,330 | 530 |
| 29 | Education Administrators, PostsecondaryMaster's degree | $133,080 | $92,050 – $258,790 | — |
| 30 | Sociology Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $132,640 | $50,180 – $223,570 | 80 |
| 31 | Mathematical Science Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $132,100 | $60,640 – $227,840 | 210 |
| 32 | Medical and Health Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $131,640 | $96,110 – $224,390 | 1,220 |
| 33 | Software DevelopersBachelor's degree | $130,630 | $82,790 – $171,290 | 6,720 |
| 34 | Managers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $129,330 | $74,070 – $203,780 | 2,590 |
| 35 | OptometristsDoctoral or professional degree | $128,220 | $102,200 – $196,680 | 100 |
| 36 | Compensation and Benefits ManagersBachelor's degree | $127,670 | $93,160 – $220,560 | 90 |
| 37 | Industrial Production ManagersBachelor's degree | $127,020 | $83,350 – $208,310 | 1,450 |
| 38 | General and Operations ManagersBachelor's degree | $126,620 | $63,380 – $257,480 | 5,130 |
| 39 | Education Administrators, Kindergarten through SecondaryMaster's degree | $126,320 | $93,310 – $163,660 | 440 |
| 40 | Purchasing ManagersBachelor's degree | $126,170 | $89,540 – $206,890 | 190 |
| 41 | Personal Financial AdvisorsBachelor's degree | $126,000 | $52,490 – $507,290 | 590 |
| 42 | Fundraising ManagersBachelor's degree | $124,840 | $77,510 – $213,320 | 110 |
| 43 | LawyersDoctoral or professional degree | $124,130 | $77,040 – $365,510 | 1,860 |
| 44 | Training and Development ManagersBachelor's degree | $120,300 | $83,310 – $166,360 | 90 |
| 45 | Sales EngineersBachelor's degree | $119,900 | $87,930 – $154,990 | 200 |
| 46 | Construction ManagersBachelor's degree | $119,840 | $77,540 – $174,130 | 860 |
| 47 | Facilities ManagersBachelor's degree | $118,990 | $74,030 – $171,070 | 250 |
| 48 | Public Relations ManagersBachelor's degree | $117,120 | $81,510 – $192,420 | 270 |
| 49 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and DetectivesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $117,080 | $80,810 – $138,420 | 230 |
| 50 | VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree | $115,210 | $82,080 – $161,870 | 420 |