Lawyer Salary

Milwaukee vs Superior: Lawyer Salary (2026)

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

Milwaukee, WI
$137,262
$65.99/hr
Superior, WI
$115,980
$55.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WISuperior, WI
Median Salary$137,262$115,980
Hourly Rate$65.99$55.76
Entry Level (P10)$82,682$67,269
25th Percentile$102,616$83,506
75th Percentile$232,780$148,455
Top Earner (P90)$456,618$179,770
Total Employed4,0407
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($137,262) and Superior ($115,980) lawyer salaries.MilwaukeeSuperiorMedian Salary$137,262$115,980Entry Level (P10)$82,682$67,269Top Earner (P90)$456,618$179,770US Median $167,174

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Milwaukee and Superior is $21,282 (18.35%). 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,Superior spans $112,501. 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
Superior
P10 (Entry)$67,269
P25$83,506
Median$115,980
P75$148,455
P90 (Top)$179,770

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($141,599 effective) pays 14.03% more than Superior ($124,176 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $137,262
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $141,599
Superior
Nominal: $115,980
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $124,176

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 Superior 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 -0.8% growth in Superior over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+5.4%

$124,410 (2019) → $131,100 (2025)

Superior, WI

+-0.8%

$111,712 (2024) → $110,774 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Milwaukee or Superior?

Milwaukee has a higher median lawyer salary at $137,262/year, compared to Superior at $115,980/year — a difference of $21,282 (18.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and Superior?

Milwaukee lawyers earn $65.99/hr while Superior hygienists earn $55.76/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukee to Superior as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and Superior. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $141,599, Superior = $124,176), job availability (4,040 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $82,682 in Milwaukee and $67,269 in Superior. 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