Job Salary Guide · 2026
Chef Salary After Tax in Madison
Based on BLS OEWS data · WI · Single filer
Chef Salary Range
25th Percentile
$40,000
Take-home:
$32,445
$2,704/mo
Entry to mid-level
Median
$58,000
Take-home:
$45,954
$3,830/mo
Typical salary
75th Percentile
$80,000
Take-home:
$60,813
$5,068/mo
Senior / specialist
Tax Breakdown
At median salary of $58,000
Cost of Living in Madison
1BR Monthly Rent
$1,550/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
$1,950/mo
COL Index
1.16
Comfortable Rent Max
$957/mo
50 / 30 / 20 Budget Planner
Based on your monthly take-home of $3,830 ($45,960/yr)
$1,915
per month
- ›Rent / mortgage
- ›Groceries
- ›Utilities
- ›Insurance
- ›Minimum debt payments
- ›Transportation
$1,149
per month
- ›Dining out
- ›Streaming services
- ›Gym
- ›Hobbies
- ›Travel
- ›Shopping
$766
per month
- ›Emergency fund
- ›401(k) / IRA
- ›Investments
- ›Down payment fund
- ›Debt payoff (extra)
Needs / year
$22,980
Wants / year
$13,788
Savings / year
$9,192
Chef Salary in Other Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Chef salary in Madison?
The median Chef salary in Madison (WI) is $58,000 per year based on BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $40,000 and the 75th percentile is $80,000.
What is the take-home pay for a Chef in Madison?
At the median salary of $58,000, a Chef in WI takes home approximately $45,954 per year ($3,830/month) after federal and state taxes. The effective tax rate is 20.77%.
Can a Chef afford rent in Madison?
The average 1-bedroom rent in Madison is $1,550/month. On the median Chef salary, your rent-to-income ratio is 40.5%, which is "High Stress". Financial experts recommend keeping rent below 25–30% of take-home pay ($957/month at this salary).
How does cost of living affect Chef salaries in Madison?
Madison has a cost-of-living index of 1.16 (1.00 = national average). Madison is 16% more expensive than the US average, which reduces the real purchasing power of the Chef salary.