Lawyers in Wisconsin. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Wisconsin lawyers earned a median of $119,970 in 2024, about 20% below the national median of $149,496. That gap is real, but it is not the whole picture.
The spread within the state tells a more complicated story. The bottom tenth of earners made $63,300, while the 75th percentile reached $177,130. That is a difference of roughly $114,000 between a lawyer near the bottom of the range and one in the upper quarter. Early-career roles, public-sector positions, and small-firm general practice tend to cluster toward the lower end. Corporate work and specialized litigation push wages well above the state median.
Cost of living narrows the nominal gap considerably. Wisconsin's price index sits at 92.7, meaning everyday costs run about 7% below the national baseline. After adjusting for what the money actually buys, the effective gap between a Wisconsin lawyer and the national median closes to something closer to 13% to 14%. For attorneys who prioritize lower housing costs and a shorter commute over a coastal salary, that tradeoff looks different than the headline numbers suggest.
The mean wage of $155,270 runs $35,000 above the median. That tells us a smaller group of high earners pull the average up. Readers comparing job offers should focus on the median and the percentile range rather than the mean, which reflects a top-heavy distribution within an already varied profession.
BLS projects average growth for this occupation nationally through 2034, at 4.2%. Wisconsin follows the national pattern, with no strong signal of acceleration or contraction based on the available data.
Salary distribution
Where Wisconsin lawyers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $94,890 and $198,270, with a median of $126,760.
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Lawyers pay by experience level in Wisconsin
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Wisconsin over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.7 / 5
Law and Government
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.6 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.5 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
- 02
Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
- 03
Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial.
- 04
Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- 05
Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in criminal or civil litigation.
- 06
Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
- 07
Work in environmental law, representing public interest groups, waste disposal companies, or construction firms in their dealings with state and federal agencies.
- 08
Present and summarize cases to judges and juries.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.2%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in Wisconsin
Metro-level salary data for lawyers in major Wisconsin metropolitan areas.
- Milwaukee$131,100
Compare Lawyers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Wisconsin with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Lawyers in Wisconsin?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Lawyers in Wisconsin is $126,760.
- How does Wisconsin compare to the national median for Lawyers?
- The Wisconsin median is -20.4% versus the BLS national figure of $159,328.
- What is the salary range for Lawyers in Wisconsin?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $76,010 and the 90th-percentile at $362,040, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Lawyers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.2% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Lawyers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.