BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Wisconsin

$61,270 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$29.46 per hour

▼ 12.1% below U.S. average35th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$61,270per year
Median$58,500per year
Hourly$29.46per hour
10th – 90th percentile$45,220 – $86,210per year

Paralegals and Legal Assistants Pay Range in Wisconsin

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$45,220
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$47,690
  • 50th Percentile — Median$58,500
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$71,130
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$86,210

Half of Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Wisconsin earn more than $58,500. The top 10% make $86,210 or more, while entry-level workers start around $45,220.

Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Wisconsin: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Wisconsin ranks 35th of 51 states for Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay, at $61,270 per year (12.1% below the U.S. average of $69,700).
  • 4,780 people work as Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Wisconsin — 1.2% of all U.S. Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.64: Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are less concentrated in Wisconsin than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $45,220; the top 10% earn over $86,210.
  • Hourly equivalent: $29.46 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $95,400.
  • Among legal jobs in Wisconsin, Lawyers pays the most ($171,200).

Paralegals and Legal Assistants Job Market in Wisconsin

Key factors affecting compensation

Wisconsin's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Paralegals and Legal Assistants here earn $61,270 on average, placing the state 35th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.92 (U.S. = 1.00), a Wisconsin salary of $61,270 is roughly equivalent to $66,598 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Florida ($63,250), South Dakota ($62,260), Indiana ($61,830) are the closest alternatives for Paralegals and Legal Assistants weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Wisconsin?

The average Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Wisconsin is $61,270 per year (median $58,500), which is 12.1% below the national average of $69,700.

How does Wisconsin rank for Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay?

Wisconsin ranks 35th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($95,400/yr).

How much do entry-level Paralegals and Legal Assistants make in Wisconsin?

The lowest-paid 10% of Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Wisconsin earn about $45,220 per year and the 25th percentile is $47,690.

How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants make per hour in Wisconsin?

About $29.46 per hour, based on the $61,270 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Paralegals and Legal Assistants work in Wisconsin?

BLS counts 4,780 Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs in Wisconsin (OEWS May 2025).

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