How much does a social worker make in Madison?
$81,890a year
Median yearly pay for social workers in the Madison, WI metro area. That is $39.37 an hour or $6,824 a month.
- Hourly
- $39.37
- Vs. national median
- +14%
- Rank among cities
- 77 of 224
- Jobs in the area
- 370
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $55,120Median: $81,890Highest 10%: $104,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $55,120 | $26.50 | |
| 25th | $68,180 | $32.78 | |
| Median | $81,890 | $39.37 | |
| 75th | $96,990 | $46.63 | |
| 90th | $104,200 | $50.10 |
Other cities in Wisconsin
Median yearly pay for social workers.
| Duluth, MN | $80,490 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $79,790 |
| Kenosha, WI | $65,740 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $63,040 |
| Green Bay, WI | $61,130 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $61,080 |
| Appleton, WI | $60,400 |
| Racine, WI | $58,870 |
Related jobs in Madison
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Health Education Specialist | $79,910 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $76,720 |
| Counselor | $70,300 |
| Educational | $67,510 |
| Substance Abuse | $64,250 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $63,690 |
| Child | $62,020 |
| Community and Social Service Specialist | $61,460 |
| Clergy | $60,900 |
| Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist | $60,790 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a social worker make an hour in Madison?
The median hourly pay in the Madison, WI metro area is $39.37 ($81,890 a year).
Do social workers make more in Madison than the national average?
Yes: $81,890 against $71,900 nationally, 14% more.
How does Madison compare with the rest of Wisconsin?
The median in Wisconsin is $62,830, so Madison pays 30% more.
Where does Madison rank for social worker pay?
77 of 224 metro areas with data.
How much does a social worker make starting out in Madison?
The lowest-paid 10% make $55,120 or less a year; the top 10% make $104,200 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.