SOC 11-9033 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Education Administrators, Postsecondary — Madison
Madison, WI · 6 metro areas compared
The median wage for Education Administrators, Postsecondary in Madison, WI is $133,080 per year, well above the national median of $104,590.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Education Administrators, Postsecondary in Madison, WI is $133,080 per year, well above the national median of $104,590. The gap of 27.2% is among the widest recorded for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $111,820 and $178,540. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $92,050 and the ninetieth at $258,790.
Within the state, Appleton records the highest median at $135,690. Of the 534 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 28th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $92,050 | −12.0% |
| 25th | $111,820 | +6.9% |
| Median (50th) | $133,080 | +27.2% |
| 75th | $178,540 | +70.7% |
| 90th | $258,790 | +147.4% |
| Mean | $163,710 | +56.5% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Madison run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $133,080 goes as far as $141,424 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 35.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$133,080as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$141,424US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $133,080 a year, 27.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $92,050 to $258,790 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Appleton, at $135,690.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Education Administrators, Postsecondary in Madison, WI?
The median annual wage is $133,080, or $63.98 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $104,590, so pay in Madison, WI is 27.2% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Madison, WI earns more than $258,790 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $92,050 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Appleton, at $135,690 per year.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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