Lawyer Hourly Pay in Brookfield, WI: $57.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Brookfield, WI runs $57.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $119,170 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Brookfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $61.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $71,500 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brookfield, WI, the projected lawyer hourly pay for 2026 stands at $57.29, a figure noticeably lower than the national hourly median of $80.37. This disparity may significantly impact the earning potential for part-time lawyers working three days a week, or for those engaged in per-diem arrangements. Common settings for these professionals include law firms, corporate offices, courtrooms, and increasingly remote or hybrid locations where contract drafting is prevalent. As for the hourly range, starting lawyers can earn as low as $33.23, while seasoned practitioners can command rates up to $88.81 per hour, reflecting the wide variance based on experience and client base. These figures help illustrate the financial landscape for legal professionals in Brookfield and the economic pressures they navigate.
About the Brookfield Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.23 | $265.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.25 | $330.01 |
| Median (P50) | $57.29 | $458.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73.33 | $586.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88.81 | $710.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brookfield
Based on $57.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $57.29/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brookfield, WI can expect to earn approximately $119,167 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $68,750. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Brookfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brookfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,291.67 | $9,931 | $119,167 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,375.00 | $5,958 | $71,500 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $916.67 | $3,972 | $47,667 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Brookfield) | $57.29 |
| Paralegal (National Avg) | $29.95 |
| Judge / Magistrate (National Avg) | $68.41 |
| Arbitrator / Mediator (National Avg) | $38.60 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
Lawyers in Brookfield, WI earn a median of $119,170 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.71% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 1.70% below the Wisconsin state average of $121,230.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $57.29/hr = $71,500/year (purchasing power: $76,553).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $119,167/year (purchasing power: $127,588).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$54.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$57.29/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Brookfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $54.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Brookfield grew 29.9% from $42.14/hr (2019) to $54.72/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $59.98/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem lawyers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookfield metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Lawyer in Brookfield
For those considering part-time work at 24 hours a week, the annual earnings present a different picture than those who commit to a full-time schedule. A lawyer working part-time could expect substantially less in take-home pay, which would clash with the desire for flexibility. Additionally, per-diem situations or contract work are often characterized by lower rates, with many positions billing between $25 to $50 per hour. Conversely, more established attorneys operating on a 1099 basis can demand rates ranging from $200 to $500 per hour, particularly for specialized consultation or expert witness roles that yield higher returns. Hourly rates also tend to vary by employer type; large firms often offer competitive pay but require exhausting billable hours, while government and nonprofit roles typically provide lower pay with the trade-off of more manageable workloads and job security. For those evaluating their options, negotiating for benefits might lead some attorneys to accept a lower hourly rate for roles that ensure health insurance and retirement packages, reflecting the nuanced decisions within the profession's financial dynamics in Brookfield.
More salary data for Brookfield, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for lawyers in Brookfield. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brookfield is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for lawyers (SOC 23-1011).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov