Wisconsin Median
$126,760
per year
Hourly Rate
$60.94
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-21% vs US median
US median $159,670
State Rank
#32 of 51
9,160 employed here
How much does a Lawyer make in Wisconsin?
A Lawyer working in Wisconsin earns a median salary of $126,760 per year, or about $60.94 per hour. That is 21% below the national median of $159,670 for this occupation.
Within Wisconsin, entry-level pay starts around $76,010 while the top 10% make $362,040 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $94,890 and $198,270 a year.
Lawyer salary range in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,010 | $36.54 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $94,890 | $45.62 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $126,760 | $60.94 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $198,270 | $95.32 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $362,040 | $174.06 |
|
How Wisconsin compares
Wisconsin ranks 32nd out of 51 states and territories for Lawyer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Lawyer salary in other states
New York $207,860District of Columbia $195,190California $195,080Massachusetts $176,680Delaware $173,510Colorado $168,520Virginia $167,210Connecticut $163,600New Jersey $161,430Illinois $160,800Pennsylvania $157,180Minnesota $155,140Texas $154,200Washington $154,130Nevada $150,510Alaska $149,940Maryland $139,110Rhode Island $138,960Oregon $138,210Tennessee $136,180Georgia $134,830Arizona $134,260Missouri $133,450Florida $133,180Utah $132,830Alabama $131,970Ohio $131,020Michigan $130,520North Carolina $127,710Vermont $127,310Indiana $126,860Hawaii $124,990Iowa $123,550New Hampshire $120,810South Carolina $120,310New Mexico $119,680Maine $113,120Nebraska $109,170North Dakota $106,880Kansas $106,650Louisiana $104,100Montana $103,720Idaho $103,400Oklahoma $103,060West Virginia $102,420South Dakota $102,040Kentucky $101,550Wyoming $100,130Arkansas $98,880Mississippi $91,690
Working as a Lawyer in Wisconsin
Nationally, about 755,000 people work as Lawyers in the United States. A doctoral or professional degree (8 or more years of higher education) is required.
Considering a move? Compare Wisconsin pay ($126,760) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Lawyer make in Wisconsin?
The median Lawyer salary in Wisconsin is $126,760 per year, or about $60.94 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $76,010 at the entry level to $362,040 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Wisconsin pay compare to the national average?
Wisconsin pays Lawyers about 21% less than the national median of $159,670. Wisconsin ranks 32nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Wisconsin a good state for Lawyers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $126,760 a year. About 9,160 Lawyers are employed in Wisconsin. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Wisconsin?
The highest-paying occupations in Wisconsin include Cardiologist ($636,580), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($572,060), Anesthesiologist ($443,990), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Lawyer salary report
Related salaries
$153,990
median pay · 24,000 employed
$58,650
median pay · 49,000 employed
$75,530
median pay · 9,000 employed
$64,920
median pay · 13,000 employed
$62,890
median pay · 393,000 employed
$117,860
median pay · 16,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.