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  1. Home/
  2. Salaries/
  3. DeFi Developer/
  4. Madison

DeFi Developer.

Madison.

$143,000

median salary, 8% below the national average

$112,000 to $186,000. Last updated April 2026.

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Data points to own the conversation.

If you are evaluating a DeFi Developer offer in Madison, WI, here is the reality: $112,000 to $186,000, with $143,000 as the midpoint. 8% below the national average. Do not accept the first number.

Salary range

25th Percentile

$112,000

per year

Median

$143,000

per year

75th Percentile

$186,000

per year

Where do you fall?

$112,000$186,000

Salary by experience

The gap between entry and lead level is typically $129,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.

Entry (0-2 yrs)

$93,000

to $114,000

Mid (3-5 yrs)

$122,000

to $150,000

Senior (6-9 yrs)

$157,000

to $186,000

Lead (10+ yrs)

$179,000

to $222,000

Salary trend

+7% YoY
$109,000
2022
$117,000
2023
$125,000
2024
$134,000
2025
$143,000
2026

Total compensation

Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $40,000 to the total package.

Base

$143,000

Equity

$23,000

Bonus

$14,000

Signing

$3,000

Estimated total: $183,000

How Madison compares

Madison, WI

$143,000

Cost of living: 5% below average

National Average

$155,000

Madison is $12,000 below

DeFi Developer salary by city

DeFi Developer salary comparison across 10 cities
CityMedianRangeCOLAdjusted
San Jose, CA$218,000$170,000 – $284,0001.38x$158,000
Honolulu, HI$206,000$160,000 – $268,0001.30x$158,000
San Francisco, CA$205,000$160,000 – $267,0001.35x$152,000
New York, NY$204,000$160,000 – $266,0001.28x$159,000
Arlington, VA$195,000$152,000 – $254,0001.22x$160,000
Seattle, WA$194,000$152,000 – $253,0001.24x$156,000
Washington DC, DC$194,000$151,000 – $253,0001.25x$155,000
Boston, MA$193,000$151,000 – $251,0001.22x$158,000
San Diego, CA$189,000$147,000 – $246,0001.17x$162,000
Madison, WI$143,000$112,000 – $186,0000.95x$151,000

See all 81 cities for DeFi Developer →

Salary by role in Madison

Salary comparison by role in Madison
RoleMedianRange
Principal Quantitative Researcher$339,000$265,000 – $441,000
Principal AI Research Scientist$333,000$259,000 – $432,000
Technical Fellow$326,000$254,000 – $424,000
DeFi Developer$143,000$112,000 – $186,000
Model Deployment Specialist$143,000$108,000 – $188,000
Model Registry Manager$143,000$108,000 – $188,000
AI Insurance Underwriting Specialist$143,000$106,000 – $189,000
AI Supply Chain Specialist$143,000$107,000 – $190,000

What you should know

Madison is a growing tech hub anchored by the University of Wisconsin and Epic Systems, one of the largest health IT companies. The city consistently ranks among the best places to live and has a thriving startup ecosystem. Salaries are competitive relative to the modest cost of living. That is the backdrop for every DeFi Developer offer you will see here.

One thing people overlook: taxes. Wisconsin's top income tax rate is 7.65%. Madison has no city income tax. The moderate state rate is offset by the affordable cost of living and strong employer base. The salary on the offer letter is not the salary in your bank account. Always model your take home before you accept.

On negotiation: Reference Epic Systems compensation benchmarks. Epic sets the salary standard for tech in Madison and most employers in the area compete against their packages. The range for DeFi Developers in Madison runs from $112,000 to $186,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.

Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology

Interactive

Is your offer competitive?

Enter your DeFi Developer offer to see where you stand in Madison.

$

25th

$112,000

Median

$143,000

75th

$186,000

Considering a related role?

  • A Machine Learning Engineer in Madison earns $144,000 (1% more)
  • The highest-paying role in Madison is Principal Quantitative Researcher at $339,000

Common questions.

Wisconsin's top income tax rate is 7.65%. Madison has no city income tax. The moderate state rate is offset by the affordable cost of living and strong employer base. When comparing offers across states, your take home pay matters more than the number on the offer letter. A lower salary in a no income tax state can net more than a higher one elsewhere.

Madison is a growing tech hub anchored by the University of Wisconsin and Epic Systems, one of the largest health IT companies. The city consistently ranks among the best places to live and has a thriving startup ecosystem. For DeFi Developers specifically, the median salary of $143,000 reflects that demand.

Ask about equity structure, vesting schedule, annual bonus targets, 401(k) match, health insurance premiums, PTO policy, and remote flexibility. Total compensation often exceeds base salary by 20 to 40%. In Madison's market, these extras can add $35,750 or more on top of the base salary.

Madison's economy is driven by Health IT, Higher Education, Government, and Biotech. DeFi Developers are hired across these sectors, though compensation can vary 15 to 25% between industries. Company size and funding stage also influence total packages significantly.

DeFi Developer compensation in Madison has trended upward as demand outpaces supply. The 2026 range of $112,000 to $186,000 reflects a market that rewards specialization. Candidates with high demand skills see the steepest gains.

Relevant certifications can add 5 to 15% to a DeFi Developer's base salary in Madison. Industry recognized credentials signal commitment and expertise to employers. In a market where the range spans $112,000 to $186,000, certifications often bridge the gap between the 50th and 75th percentile.

DeFi Developer salary in other cities

Indianapolis$144,000
Jackson$126,000
Jersey City$186,000
Kansas City$140,000
Knoxville$135,000
Los Angeles$183,000

Other salaries in Madison

3D Vision Engineer$168,000
3D Scanning Engineer$129,000
Tax Specialist$77,000
Technical Writer$83,000

Related

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Cite this data

Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.

"DeFi Developer Salary in Madison, WI." Orbyt Salary Explorer, April 2026. https://www.orbytjobs.ai/salaries/defi-developer/madison

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