Lawyer salary in Madison, WI
Lawyers in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $124,130 a year ($59.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,860 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $365,510 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 2% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $126,760. There are 4.6 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $163,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,040 | $37.04 |
| 25th percentile | $99,020 | $47.61 |
| Median | $124,130 | $59.68 |
| 75th percentile | $171,300 | $82.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $365,510 | $175.73 |
| Average (mean) | $163,780 | $78.74 |
Half of lawyers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,344.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,172.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,774.23 |
| Weekly | $2,387.12 |
| Hourly | $59.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lawyer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $159,620 | 10,160 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $131,100 | 4,040 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $129,120 | 260 |
| Appleton, WI | $126,390 | 250 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $121,720 | 60 |
| Green Bay, WI | $119,370 | 310 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $116,320 | 170 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $115,770 | 80 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $115,290 | 210 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $110,380 | 140 |
| Kenosha, WI | $108,420 | 120 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $106,900 | 160 |
| Wausau, WI | $106,290 | 150 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $104,910 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $195,080 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| Delaware | $173,510 |
| Colorado | $168,520 |
| Virginia | $167,210 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 |
| Illinois | $160,800 |
See Lawyer pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $63,940 | $30.74 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $60,800 | $29.23 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $65,960 | $31.71 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $51,400 | $24.71 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Madison, WI?
The median salary for lawyers in the Madison, WI metro area is $124,130 a year, or $59.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $365,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $365,510 a year. The top 25% earn $171,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,040 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $99,020 or less.
How many lawyers work in Madison, WI?
About 1,860 lawyers are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.