Lawyer Hourly Pay in Kenosha, WI: $54.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Kenosha, WI runs $54.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $113,516 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Kenosha's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.1, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $53.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $68,116 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Lawyers in Kenosha, Wisconsin, earn a median hourly pay of $54.58, which is significantly below the national median of $80.37. This lower rate reflects the economic landscape in the region and provides a unique context for part-time and per-diem work arrangements. A lawyer working part-time, say three days a week, could expect to earn a substantial income, but may find it less than what is possible in larger metropolitan areas. The hourly rates range from $38.45 for entry-level positions to $169.26 for high earners, allowing for a variety of earning potentials depending on experience and specialization. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlight the financial realities for legal professionals operating in various settings such as law firms, corporate offices, and government roles.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.45 | $307.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.69 | $357.49 |
| Median (P50) | $54.58 | $436.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.84 | $622.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169.26 | $1354.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kenosha
Based on $54.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $54.58/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kenosha, WI can expect to earn approximately $113,527 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $65,496. With a cost-of-living index of 101.12 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Kenosha.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kenosha
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,183.20 | $9,461 | $113,527 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,309.92 | $5,676 | $68,116 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $873.28 | $3,784 | $45,411 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Kenosha) | $54.58 |
| 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 Kenosha, WI earn a median of $113,516 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.10% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 6.30% below the Wisconsin state average of $121,148.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $54.58/hr = $68,116/year (purchasing power: $67,363).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $113,527/year (purchasing power: $112,271).
CoL index: 101.118 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$40.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$52.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$54.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Kenosha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $52.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Kenosha grew 29.9% from $40.14/hr (2019) to $52.13/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $57.15/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 Kenosha 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 Kenosha
When analyzing the potential for part-time lawyers, those working 24 hours a week might see a distinct disparity in their annual income compared to full-time practitioners. For example, a part-time lawyer could take home a notably lower income than their full-time counterparts, depending on their hourly pay scale. Per diem or contract work in Kenosha frequently ranges from $25 to $50 per hour for document review jobs, while more experienced attorneys in unique arrangements can bill upwards of $200 to $500 per hour. Different employer types across Kenosha offer varied hourly rates; BigLaw firms may be able to provide higher compensation but often demand more hours, while mid-size or boutique firms focus on a better work-life balance. Some lawyers might sacrifice higher hourly rates for stability, health insurance, and benefits found in full-time positions. Negotiation strategies tailored to this market can help achieve a more equitable rate, nudging hourly pay toward the higher end of the spectrum while considering the overall benefits associated with different practice settings.
More salary data for Kenosha, 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 Kenosha. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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