Lawyer Salary

Milwaukee vs Sheboygan: Lawyer Salary (2026)

Compare lawyer salaries between Milwaukee, WI and Sheboygan, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Milwaukee, WI
$137,262
$65.99/hr
Sheboygan, WI
$121,211
$58.28/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WISheboygan, WI
Median Salary$137,262$121,211
Hourly Rate$65.99$58.28
Entry Level (P10)$82,682$77,258
25th Percentile$102,616$88,147
75th Percentile$232,780$222,550
Top Earner (P90)$456,618$418,790
Total Employed4,04080
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($137,262) and Sheboygan ($121,211) lawyer salaries.MilwaukeeSheboyganMedian Salary$137,262$121,211Entry Level (P10)$82,682$77,258Top Earner (P90)$456,618$418,790US Median $167,174

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for lawyers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Sheboygan.

The salary gap between Milwaukee and Sheboygan is $16,051 (13.24%). Milwaukee's median is -17.89% compared to the US national median of $167,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Milwaukee spans $373,936,Sheboygan spans $341,532. Milwaukee has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$82,682
P25$102,616
Median$137,262
P75$232,780
P90 (Top)$456,618
Sheboygan
P10 (Entry)$77,258
P25$88,147
Median$121,211
P75$222,550
P90 (Top)$418,790

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($141,599 effective) pays 9.83% more than Sheboygan ($128,929 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $137,262
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $141,599
Sheboygan
Nominal: $121,211
CoL Index: 94.014
Adjusted: $128,929

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($137,262/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($456,618)
  • Larger job market (4,040 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $141,599)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Sheboygan if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Milwaukee grew 5.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 36.0% growth in Sheboygan over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+5.4%

$124,410 (2019) → $131,100 (2025)

Sheboygan, WI

+36.0%

$85,100 (2019) → $115,770 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Milwaukee or Sheboygan?

Milwaukee has a higher median lawyer salary at $137,262/year, compared to Sheboygan at $121,211/year — a difference of $16,051 (13.24%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and Sheboygan?

Milwaukee lawyers earn $65.99/hr while Sheboygan hygienists earn $58.28/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukee to Sheboygan as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and Sheboygan. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $141,599, Sheboygan = $128,929), job availability (4,040 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in Milwaukee vs Sheboygan?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $82,682 in Milwaukee and $77,258 in Sheboygan. The Milwaukee area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Alexandra Chen, JD

Career Analyst

Alexandra has 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Alexandra works at a mid-sized law firm in New York City.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Martinez, JDData verified by Priya Patel, JD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov