Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Lawyer Salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

In the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metropolitan area, lawyers earned a median annual wage of $130,600 ($62.79/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $78,300/year and the 90th was $373,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Wisconsin tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $94,287 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 96.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$130,600$62.79 per hour · $10,883 monthly
10th Percentile$78,300$37.64/hr base
25th Percentile$97,800$47.02/hr base
75th Percentile$204,300$98.22/hr base
90th Percentile$373,000$179.33/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$130,600
$50,000$265,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$130,600
Net 72%
Fed 15%
WI 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$94,287After all taxes
Monthly deposit$7,857Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$3,626Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate27.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$20,078 / yr
Wisconsin state income tax$6,244 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$9,991 / yr

Lawyers Wage Percentiles in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Lawyers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WI)
10th Percentile$37.64/hr$6,525$78,300$60,775
25th Percentile$47.02/hr$8,150$97,800$73,335
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$62.79/hr$10,883$130,600$94,287
75th Percentile$98.22/hr$17,025$204,300$141,907
90th Percentile$179.33/hr$31,083$373,000$240,853

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$130,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$78,218Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index96.93.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio167%of area median income

Compare lawyers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Wisconsin:

Frequently Asked Questions About Lawyers Pay in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

What is the median salary for lawyers in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

The official BLS median annual wage for lawyers in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI is $130,600, which equates to approximately $10,883 per month or $62.79 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for lawyers in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

The median hourly wage for lawyers in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI is $62.79 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $37.64/hour and one in ten earned more than $179.33/hour.

What is the pay range for lawyers in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

BLS wage estimates for lawyers in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI span from $78,300 at the 10th percentile to $97,800 at the 25th, $204,300 at the 75th, and $373,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do lawyers take home after taxes in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

On a median gross salary of $130,600, an estimated $94,287 lands in net take-home pay per year ($3,626 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Wisconsin in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $36,313 (an effective rate of 27.8%).

How much do lawyers make per month in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

On the median annual salary of $130,600, gross monthly income is $10,883. After federal, FICA, and Wisconsin state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $7,857 per month (or $3,626 every two weeks).

Is $130,600 a good salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

At $130,600, the median salary for lawyers is 167% of the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI median household income ($78,218). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 96.9, making regional consumer goods and services 3.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.