Entry-level Chemist salary in Madison, WI
Based on 17 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Madison, WI metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Middleton, Verona, Verono, Waunakee.
Also listed as: Quality Control Chemist, Analytical Chemist
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $53,429 |
| 25th | $53,581 |
| 50th (median) | $54,080 |
| 75th | $58,656 |
| 90th | $61,466 |
Cost of living
Madison's median entry-level Chemist salary of $54,080 is worth about $55,600 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Madison = 97.3).
Compared with all workers here
All Chemists in the Madison, WI area earned a median of $78,730 in May 2025 (780 employed). The H-1B median here is $54,080, 31% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Catalent Pharma Solutions | too few | 7 |
| University of Wisconsin System | too few | 6 |
| PPD Development, L.P. | too few | 3 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $54,080 | 17 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $65,291 | 11 |
| Senior · Level III | too few | 5 |
| Expert · Level IV | $88,733 | 13 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $53,581 | $54,080 | 17 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $65,250 | $65,291 | 11 |
| Expert · Level IV | $87,110 | $88,733 | 13 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.