Lawyer Salaries in Wisconsin

$114,000 Average Salary
35% Below National Average
$101K Median
$158K Top 10%
$66K Entry Level
$176K National Avg
Wisconsin Lawyer Salary Snapshot
  • Average: $114,000 (-35% below national)
  • Career Range: $66,047 (Entry) → $227,500 (Partner)
  • Highest-Paying: Patent Law ($161K)
  • Top Employers: BigLaw ($192K), In-House ($127K)
  • vs Nearby: Higher than Iowa ; Below Illinois, Minnesota

Milwaukee serves as Wisconsin's legal center with manufacturing and insurance practices. Madison hosts state government and the university. Foley & Lardner is headquartered in Milwaukee.

Last updated: January 2025 • Source: BLS, NALP

Salary by Experience in Wisconsin

How lawyer salaries grow with experience

0-2 years
Entry Level
$66,047
Median: $55K
3-5 years
Mid-Level
$94,250
Median: $83K
6-10 years
Senior
$126,750
Median: $112K
10+ years
Partner
$227,500
Median: $185K
Career Growth Potential

Lawyers in Wisconsin can expect a 244% salary increase from entry-level to partner. Starting at $66,047, experienced partners earn $227,500 or more.

Salary by Firm Type in Wisconsin

Compare compensation across different employer types

BigLaw (500+ attorneys)
$191,750
Entry: $146K Senior: $283K
Top 100 firms with offices nationwide
Midsize (50-500 attorneys)
$120,250
Entry: $101K Senior: $179K
Regional and specialty boutique firms
Small Firm (2-49 attorneys)
$71,500
Entry: $49K Senior: $107K
Local and small practice firms
Solo Practice
$55,250
Entry: $33K Senior: $98K
Self-employed attorneys
In-House Counsel
$126,750
Entry: $75K Senior: $207K
Corporate legal departments
Government
$63,700
Entry: $42K Senior: $96K
Federal, state, and local agencies
Public Interest
$46,800
Entry: $36K Senior: $62K
Non-profit and legal aid organizations
BigLaw vs Government Trade-off

In Wisconsin, BigLaw pays $128,050 more than government roles ($191,750 vs $63,700). However, government attorneys may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and often enjoy better work-life balance.

Salary by Practice Area in Wisconsin

Find the highest-paying legal specialties

💡 Patent Law $161K Entry: $94K | Senior: $247K 🤝 Mergers & Acquisitions $151K Entry: $98K | Senior: $260K ⚖ Antitrust Law $146K Entry: $94K | Senior: $247K 📈 Securities Law $140K Entry: $91K | Senior: $234K 🏛 Corporate Law $135K Entry: $88K | Senior: $228K © Intellectual Property $130K Entry: $81K | Senior: $208K 🏦 Banking & Finance $129K Entry: $85K | Senior: $218K 🔒 Privacy & Data Protection $120K Entry: $75K | Senior: $192K ⚖ Privacy & Data Protection $120K Entry: $75K | Senior: $192K 💻 Cybersecurity Law $116K Entry: $72K | Senior: $185K 📊 Tax Law $114K Entry: $72K | Senior: $182K ⚖ Energy Law $114K Entry: $72K | Senior: $182K 🌐 International Law $112K Entry: $68K | Senior: $179K 🎬 Entertainment Law $109K Entry: $55K | Senior: $179K ⚖ International Trade Law $109K Entry: $68K | Senior: $176K 🏥 Healthcare Law $107K Entry: $65K | Senior: $172K ⚖ Government Contracts $107K Entry: $65K | Senior: $172K 📉 Bankruptcy Law $101K Entry: $62K | Senior: $163K ⚖ Aviation Law $101K Entry: $62K | Senior: $159K 🩺 Medical Malpractice $96K Entry: $49K | Senior: $156K ⚖ Maritime Law $96K Entry: $57K | Senior: $153K 🔨 Litigation $96K Entry: $62K | Senior: $163K 👔 Employment Law $92K Entry: $57K | Senior: $150K ⚖ Sports Law $92K Entry: $49K | Senior: $153K 🏠 Real Estate $90K Entry: $55K | Senior: $143K 🏗 Construction Law $90K Entry: $53K | Senior: $143K 🌿 Environmental Law $88K Entry: $53K | Senior: $140K 🛒 Insurance Law $83K Entry: $51K | Senior: $133K 🩹 Personal Injury $81K Entry: $42K | Senior: $130K 📜 Estate Planning $70K Entry: $40K | Senior: $114K ⚖ Education Law $68K Entry: $40K | Senior: $107K 👪 Family Law $67K Entry: $38K | Senior: $107K 🚓 Criminal Law $64K Entry: $34K | Senior: $101K 🏛 Government/Public Sector $64K Entry: $42K | Senior: $96K 🧰 Workers Compensation $64K Entry: $38K | Senior: $101K ⚖ Criminal Defense $64K Entry: $34K | Senior: $101K 👴 Elder Law $60K Entry: $36K | Senior: $94K ⚖ Civil Rights Law $57K Entry: $34K | Senior: $94K 🌍 Immigration Law $56K Entry: $36K | Senior: $91K
Practice Area Comparison

In Wisconsin, Patent Law lawyers earn $105,424 more than Immigration Law attorneys on average ($161,366 vs $55,942). Specializing in high-demand areas can significantly impact lifetime earnings.

Wisconsin Legal Market Facts

Key statistics about the legal industry in this state

💼 15,000+ Licensed Attorneys
🏫 2 ABA Law Schools
🏛 1+ AmLaw 100 Firms
📍 Milwaukee Largest Legal Market
📈 92% Cost of Living Index

Law School ROI in Wisconsin

How long to pay off student loans by career path

💰 $130,000 Avg Law School Debt
⏱ 7.6 years To Pay Off at State Avg
📅 $1,480/mo Standard Payment
Payoff Timeline by Career Path
BigLaw $192K
4.5 yrs
In-House $127K
6.8 yrs
Government $64K
13.6 yrs PSLF eligible
At Wisconsin's average salary of $114,000, you can pay off $130K in student loans in approximately 7.6 years while allocating 15% of your income to debt repayment.

Compare to Nearby States

How Wisconsin compares to neighboring states

Wisconsin Current
$114K
Illinois
$152K +33%
Minnesota
$135K +18%
Michigan
$123K +8%
Iowa
$105K -8%
🏠
Cost of Living Context

Wisconsin offers a cost of living 8% below the national average, making salaries go further. Median home price: $285,000 - significantly lower than coastal states.

Frequently Asked Questions

The average lawyer salary in Wisconsin is $114,000, which is 35% below the national average of $176,470. Salaries range from $66,047 for entry-level positions to $227,500 or more for senior partners.

Patent Law is the highest-paying legal specialty in Wisconsin, with an average salary of $161,366. Entry-level patent law attorneys start around $94,250, while senior attorneys can earn $247,000 or more.

First-year lawyers in Wisconsin earn an average of $66,047. However, this varies significantly by employer type: BigLaw firms pay $146,250+, while small firms and government positions typically start around $42,250 to $48,750.

Major BigLaw firms in Wisconsin typically match the Cravath scale, starting at $225,000 for first-year associates. The adjusted average BigLaw salary in Wisconsin is approximately $191,750, reflecting local cost of living and market conditions.

Wisconsin ranks below average for lawyer salaries among nearby states. The average of $114,000 is 35% lower than compared to Illinois ($152K), Minnesota ($135K), Michigan ($123K).

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