verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Lawyer Salary in Wisconsin

Median Annual in Wisconsin
$126,760/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$60.94/hr
▼ 21% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Wisconsin

groups Employed in WI
9,160
public U.S. Median
$159,670
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$134,715 #27 of 51

Lawyer pay in Wisconsin, explained

Lawyers in Wisconsin earn a median of $126,760 per year ($60.94 per hour), which is 21% below the national median of $159,670. Entry-level workers earn around $76,010, while the most experienced lawyers reach about $362,040. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Wisconsin.

Is $126,760 good pay in Wisconsin?

Adjusted for Wisconsin's cost of living (which runs 94% of the U.S. average), that $126,760 is worth about $134,715 in national buying power — ranking Wisconsin #27 for real pay (vs #32 on the sticker number).

See the full Lawyer Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Lawyer pay by experience in Wisconsin

Entry level (10th pct)
$76,010
$36.54/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$126,760
$60.94/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$362,040
$174.06/hr

Lawyer pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs WI
Wisconsin (here) $126,760 $134,715
Illinois $160,800 $160,868 −$34,040
Minnesota $155,140 $157,309 −$28,380
Michigan $130,520 $135,652 −$3,760
Iowa $123,550 $140,778 +$3,210

Lawyer in Wisconsin: FAQ

How much do lawyers make in Wisconsin?

Lawyers in Wisconsin earn a median of $126,760 per year ($60.94 per hour), compared with $159,670 nationally.

Does Wisconsin pay lawyers well?

At $126,760, Wisconsin pays 21% below the national median for lawyers. An estimated 9,160 work in the state.

Lawyer salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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