Madison, WI · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Receptionist Salary in Madison, WI

In the Madison, WI metropolitan area, receptionists earned a median annual wage of $42,500 ($20.43/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $30,500/year and the 90th was $51,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Wisconsin tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $35,122 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.3 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$42,500$20.43 per hour · $3,542 monthly
10th Percentile$30,500$14.66/hr base
25th Percentile$37,200$17.88/hr base
75th Percentile$48,100$23.13/hr base
90th Percentile$51,700$24.86/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$42,500
$15,000$85,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$42,500
Net 83%
Fed 7%
WI 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$35,122After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,927Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,351Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,920 / yr
Wisconsin state income tax$1,207 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,251 / yr

Receptionists and Information Clerks Wage Percentiles in Madison, WI

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Receptionists and Information Clerks in the Madison, WI Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WI)
10th Percentile$14.66/hr$2,542$30,500$26,071
25th Percentile$17.88/hr$3,100$37,200$31,124
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$20.43/hr$3,542$42,500$35,122
75th Percentile$23.13/hr$4,008$48,100$39,345
90th Percentile$24.86/hr$4,308$51,700$42,060

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Madison, WI

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$42,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$88,804Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.32.7% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio47.9%of area median income

Compare receptionists salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Wisconsin:

Frequently Asked Questions About Receptionists and Information Clerks Pay in Madison, WI

What is the median salary for receptionists in Madison, WI?

The official BLS median annual wage for receptionists in Madison, WI is $42,500, which equates to approximately $3,542 per month or $20.43 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for receptionists in Madison, WI?

The median hourly wage for receptionists in Madison, WI is $20.43 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.66/hour and one in ten earned more than $24.86/hour.

What is the pay range for receptionists in Madison, WI?

BLS wage estimates for receptionists in Madison, WI span from $30,500 at the 10th percentile to $37,200 at the 25th, $48,100 at the 75th, and $51,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do receptionists take home after taxes in Madison, WI?

On a median gross salary of $42,500, an estimated $35,122 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,351 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Wisconsin in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,378 (an effective rate of 17.4%).

How much do receptionists make per month in Madison, WI?

On the median annual salary of $42,500, gross monthly income is $3,542. After federal, FICA, and Wisconsin state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,927 per month (or $1,351 every two weeks).

Is $42,500 a good salary in Madison, WI?

At $42,500, the median salary for receptionists is 47.9% of the Madison, WI median household income ($88,804). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.3, making regional consumer goods and services 2.7% cheaper than the U.S. average.