Software Developer Salary in Madison

Designs, builds, and maintains software applications across web, mobile, and systems domains.

Ranks #274 of 530 metros·Wisconsin·$114,670 avg

Madison ranks #274 of 530 U.S. metro areas for software developer pay. Entry-level salaries here are $6,420 above the national average.

Level I
$81,702
vs national avg: +9%
Level II
$98,093
vs national avg: +2%
Level III
$114,504
vs national avg: -2%
Level IV
$130,894
vs national avg: -5%

Madison vs National Average

LevelThis MetroNational AvgDifference% Change
Level I (Entry)$81,702$75,282+$6,420+8.5%
Level II$98,093$96,293+$1,800+1.9%
Level III (Mid)$114,504$117,303$-2,799-2.4%
Level IV (Senior)$130,894$138,313$-7,419-5.4%

Other metros in Wisconsin

Metro AreaLevel ILevel IVAverage
Kenosha$72,530$142,563$119,454
Milwaukee-Waukesha$79,040$131,373$114,109
Eau Claire$76,003$131,352$113,090
Oshkosh-Neenah$77,854$127,067$110,822
Wausau$72,550$129,189$110,490

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average software developer salary in Madison?

The average software developer salary in Madison is $114,670 per year, based on U.S. Department of Labor employer survey data. This places Madison at rank #274 out of 530 U.S. metro areas surveyed.

What do entry-level software developers earn in Madison?

Entry-level software developers (Level I) in Madison earn $81,702 per year. Level II (early career) earns $98,093, reflecting growing independence and experience.

How does Madison compare to the national average for software developer salaries?

Madison ranks #274 of 530 U.S. metro areas for software developer pay. Entry-level salaries here are $6,420 above the national average. The national average software developer salary is $117,513, while Madison workers average $114,670 — a difference of -2% overall.

Data source: Salary data sourced from the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers nationwide to collect wage data by occupation and geography. The four experience levels reflect DOL standardized tiers. Data reflects the most recently published survey cycle. SOC code: 15-1252.