Lawyer Hourly Pay in Menomonie, WI: $55.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Menomonie, WI runs $55.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $115,018 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Menomonie's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $59.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $69,005 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Menomonie, Wisconsin, the lawyer hourly pay is projected to be $55.29 in 2026, considerably below the national median of $80.37. This lower hourly rate impacts part-time lawyers, who might typically work about three days a week. Such a schedule would equate to approximately 24 hours of work, potentially leading to manageable earnings compared to full-time counterparts. The hourly pay range extends from $32.07 at the lower end for entry-level positions to $85.71 for top earners, reflecting the varied experience and specialization levels in the profession. These estimates are derived from annual salary data, suggesting a diverse market for legal professionals in settings ranging from traditional law firm offices to remote contract drafting environments.
About the Menomonie 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) | $32.07 | $256.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.82 | $318.54 |
| Median (P50) | $55.29 | $442.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70.78 | $566.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85.71 | $685.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Menomonie
Based on $55.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $55.29/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Menomonie, WI can expect to earn approximately $115,008 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $66,350. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Menomonie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Menomonie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,211.68 | $9,584 | $115,008 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,327.01 | $5,750 | $69,005 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $884.67 | $3,834 | $46,003 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Menomonie) | $55.29 |
| 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 Menomonie, WI earn a median of $115,018 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.20% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 5.10% below the Wisconsin state average of $121,199.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $55.29/hr = $69,005/year (purchasing power: $73,881).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $115,008/year (purchasing power: $123,134).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$52.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$55.29/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Menomonie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $52.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Menomonie grew 29.9% from $40.67/hr (2019) to $52.81/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $57.89/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 Menomonie 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 Menomonie
For those contemplating part-time work in Menomonie, a lawyer earning an hourly wage could see significantly different annual earnings than their full-time colleagues. When considering per diem or contract roles, many lawyers may find that such opportunities offer lower pay, typically ranging from $25 to $50 per hour, especially for doc review tasks. In contrast, established attorneys operating on a 1099 basis may charge $200 to $500 per hour for their services. Additionally, specialized roles like expert witness consulting can demand premium rates of $400 to $800 per hour, demonstrating varying hourly pay across legal sectors. Overall, hourly rates can fluctuate based on the employer type, with large firms and in-house corporate legal departments generally offering more competitive compensation compared to government roles or legal aid organizations. This creates a trade-off where some lawyers may accept lower hourly rates for the security of benefits, a consideration that influences job negotiation strategies in the Menomonie market.
More salary data for Menomonie, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for lawyers in Menomonie in 2026?
How much do part-time lawyers make in Menomonie?
Are lawyers in Menomonie paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time lawyer make per year in Menomonie?
Do lawyers earn more per hour working part-time in Menomonie?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 Menomonie. 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 Menomonie 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