Data Analyst Salary in Madison, WI: $70,336 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Madison, WI earns a median $70,336/year (≈ $33.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Madison's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $75,306 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, data analyst salaries in Madison, Wisconsin, average around $70,336, which reflects a competitive position within the local employment market. The full compensation range spans from $40,795 at the 10th percentile to $109,021 at the 90th percentile, showcasing significant variability in earnings based on experience and company type. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, indicate a notable difference compared to the national median of $80,394. This disparity highlights a gap often seen between employees at major FAANG companies versus those at burgeoning AI startups or traditional industries, where stock options and RSUs can amplify total compensation significantly, thus affecting the overall earning potential for data analysts in Madison.
About the Madison Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,795 | $19.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,641 | $24.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,336 | $33.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,030 | $43.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,021 | $52.42 |
Median Salary Position
12.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madison
In Madison, WI, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,226 (2026 est.). At $70,336, the local median is 12.51% below the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madison: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madison Data Analyst Pay Compares
Madison median: $70,336/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madison Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $69,024 | +1.90% more |
| National Average | $80,394 | -12.51% less |
Data Analysts in Madison, WI earn a median of $70,336 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.51% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 1.90% above the Wisconsin state average of $69,024.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madison has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madison, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A data analyst earning $70,336 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,306 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$56,502
2025 BLS Actual
$67,320
2026 Current Est.
$70,336
2021–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Madison (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $56,502 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,336 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,487 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madison metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew 19.1% from $56,502 (2021) to $67,320 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,487 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,985 (30.06%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.48% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $40,795 – $50,641 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,641 – $70,336 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,336 – $90,030 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,030 – $109,021 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Madison
Employers in Madison primarily consist of around 64 data analysts, indicating a niche but growing field. With a cost-of-living index of 93.4, many might find that salaries stretch further in this market than in higher-cost areas. While FAANG and major tech companies, such as Google and Amazon, typically offer the highest salaries, AI startups like OpenAI or Mistral are emerging contenders, often providing substantial equity stakes as part of their pay structure. The earnings spread reveals how company prestige, employee skill level, and specialization affect salaries, with machine learning engineers generally earning more than those in analytics roles. Job seekers should consider aiming for roles at higher-tier companies, negotiating for RSUs, or enhancing their skill set to transition into specialties with higher pay bands within the local landscape.
More salary data for Madison, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Aisha Patel, MA, Certified Data Analyst
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience in data analysis. She specializes in business intelligence and works at a tech consulting firm.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $67,320 for data analystsin the Madison metropolitan area. A 4.48% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Madison is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.48%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for data analysts (SOC 15-2051).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, MA, Certified Data Analyst, a licensed data analyst with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov