Quick Answer: The University of Wisconsin–Madison employs approximately 24,000 people across the academic, research, and operations enterprise, making it one of the largest employers in southern Wisconsin. (UW Health is a separate workforce covered in our Healthcare hub.) Pay ranges from $17–$22/hr for service positions to $200,000+ for senior faculty. Apply through jobs.wisc.edu. UW–Madison offers tuition reimbursement for eligible employees and dependents within the UW System.
Working at UW–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a Big Ten R1 public flagship and the largest employer in Dane County. Approximately 24,000 employees support faculty, professional staff, technical operations, food service, library, athletics, and public safety functions. The medical and clinical workforce at UW Health operates as a separate enterprise covered in our Healthcare hub. Wisconsin operates with a strong unionization heritage in service and trades classifications, balanced against a non-unionized academic faculty.
How to Apply at UW–Madison
All applications run through jobs.wisc.edu:
- Create an applicant account.
- Search by category (Academic Staff, University Staff, Faculty, Limited, Student Hourly).
- Prepare resume, cover letter, and 3 references; faculty roles need CV and research/teaching statements.
- Submit and track status in the portal.
- Background check required.
UW–Madison Pay Ranges
| Role | Pay |
|---|---|
| Custodial / Food Service / Grounds | $17–$22/hr |
| Skilled Trades | $28–$42/hr |
| Administrative Assistant | $38,000–$52,000 |
| Mid-career Manager | $65,000–$100,000 |
| Director / Senior Director | $105,000–$185,000+ |
| Assistant Professor | $80,000–$130,000 |
| Associate Professor | $100,000–$155,000 |
| Full Professor (humanities) | $130,000–$200,000 |
| Full Professor (medicine, law, business, engineering) | $190,000–$380,000+ |
Benefits at UW–Madison
Health insurance: Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) participants choose from State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program plans.
Retirement: Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) defined-benefit pension — one of the most generous public pension systems in the country, with employee and employer contributions.
Tuition reimbursement: UW–Madison offers a tuition reimbursement program for eligible employees and, in some cases, dependents within the UW System. Eligibility, percentage covered, and dependent inclusion vary by program type and employee category. Confirm specifics with HR during the application or onboarding process.
How to Ask About Tuition Reimbursement
- Wait for the interview stage.
- Ask: “Could you walk me through the tuition reimbursement program for employees in this role? I’d like to understand eligibility, percentage covered, whether dependents qualify, and any service requirement.”
- Request the specifics in writing in the offer letter.
- Confirm the service requirement and which UW System institutions qualify.
Unions at UW–Madison
Wisconsin has a complex public-sector union landscape since Act 10 (2011) substantially limited collective bargaining for most public employees. Despite that, several worker categories at UW–Madison maintain representation:
- AFSCME — service and clerical workers (representation function rather than collective bargaining authority post-Act 10)
- Teaching Assistants’ Association (TAA) — graduate assistants, the oldest grad student union in the U.S.
- Skilled Trades — building trades workers represented through respective national craft unions
UW Health has separate union structures covered in our Healthcare hub. Skilled trades workers at UW often pursue apprenticeships through union locals — see our Learn a Trade hub for guides on IBEW electrical training, plumber and HVAC apprenticeships, and other building-trade pathways. For a comparison of union vs non-union paths on pay and benefits, see our Union vs Non-Union Apprenticeship comparison.
Student Employment
UW–Madison employs thousands of students in residence halls, dining services, library systems, and academic departments at hourly rates aligned with the local minimum wage. Graduate teaching and research assistants receive stipends, tuition remission, and health insurance. Student positions are posted at jobs.wisc.edu under the Student category.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply at UW–Madison?
Create an account at jobs.wisc.edu, search by employee category, and submit resume + cover letter + references through the portal.
What is the average pay at UW–Madison?
Service positions $17–$22/hr; mid-career staff $65,000–$100,000; faculty $80,000–$380,000+ depending on rank and discipline.
Does UW–Madison offer tuition reimbursement?
Yes, for eligible employees and, in some cases, dependents within the UW System. Confirm specifics with HR during the application process.
Are UW–Madison jobs unionized?
Some categories. AFSCME represents service and clerical workers; the TAA represents graduate assistants. Wisconsin’s Act 10 substantially limited collective bargaining authority for most public employees post-2011.
What’s the difference between UW–Madison jobs and UW Health jobs?
UW Health is a separate health-system enterprise with its own HR processes and benefits. See our Healthcare hub for UW Health.