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Lawyers Salary in Madison, WI

BLS Official DataUpdated 2025-05-31
Median Annual

$124,130

Mean: $163,780

~$96,821 est. take-home

Hourly Rate

$59.68

Based on 2,080 hrs/yr

Cost of Living

100

100 = national avg

Lawyers salary in Madison, WI — median $124,130/year, range $99,020-$171,300

Salary Distribution

Where the median falls between the 25th and 75th percentile.

25th %

$99,020

Median

$124,130

75th %

$171,300

Median is in the 35th percentile of the typical range

Lawyers in other WI cities

Compare the same occupation across cities in WI.

About Lawyers salaries in Madison, WI

Lawyers in Madison, WI earn a median of $124,130 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. The mean salary is $163,780, which tends to skew higher because a small number of high earners pull the average up.

Most lawyers in this area earn between $99,020 and $171,300. Where you land depends on experience, employer type, and whether you have in-demand specializations.

That works out to roughly $59.68 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual hourly pay may differ for part-time or contract roles.

Career Outlook

5% growthAs fast as average (BLS 2024–2034)

5% growth. The big-firm associate track is as competitive as ever, but the real growth areas are niche: healthcare compliance, privacy law, and ESG regulation. Many lawyers are opting out of big firms entirely to start boutique practices or go in-house.

Worth knowing: Location matters more than almost any other factor. First-year associates at big firms in NYC and SF start at $215K+, but public defenders in the same cities might earn $65K. The spread is enormous.

Lawyers Jobs in Madison, WI

Median: $124,130/yr — browse openings that fit.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a lawyers in Madison?

The median — where half earn more and half earn less — is $124,130. The average (mean) is $163,780, which is higher because top earners pull it up.

How much does a lawyers make per hour in Madison?

About $59.68/hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Part-time or overtime hours will change the actual rate.

What is the salary range for lawyers in Madison?

The middle 50% earn between $99,020 and $171,300. Below $99,020 is typically entry-level; above $171,300 usually means significant experience or specialized skills.

Salary Conversion Table

How does $124,130 per year break down across different time periods?

PeriodGrossEst. Take-Home
Yearly$124,130$96,821
Monthly$10,344$8,068
Biweekly$4,774$3,724
Weekly$2,387$1,862
Hourly (40h/wk)$59.68$46.55
Hourly (35h/wk)$68.2$53.2
Hourly (30h/wk)$79.57$62.06
Daily (8h)$477$372

Take-home estimates use an effective tax rate of 22%. Actual amounts vary by filing status, deductions, and state tax.

Lawyers: Highest-Paying Cities in the U.S.

Top 10 cities nationwide for lawyers, based on BLS median salary data.

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