Lawyer Hourly Pay in Pleasant Prairie, WI: $55.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Pleasant Prairie, WI runs $55.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $115,138 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Pleasant Prairie's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $59.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $69,083 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The hourly pay for legal professionals in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin reveals a median of $55.35, which falls significantly below the national hourly median of $80.37. This disparity can greatly affect the earning potential for part-time lawyers working three days a week, as well as those engaged in per diem roles. These professionals typically find themselves in various settings such as law firm offices, courtrooms, and in-house corporate legal departments. The hourly range in Pleasant Prairie reflects a spectrum from $32.10 at the entry-level (10th percentile) to $85.80 for top earners (90th percentile), highlighting the potential for substantial income variation based on experience and specialization. These projections, while derived from annual salary estimates, give insight into the specific per-hour compensation that professionals can expect in the localized market.
About the Pleasant Prairie 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) | $32.10 | $256.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.86 | $318.87 |
| Median (P50) | $55.35 | $442.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70.85 | $566.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85.80 | $686.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pleasant Prairie
Based on $55.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $55.35/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pleasant Prairie, WI can expect to earn approximately $115,138 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $66,426. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pleasant Prairie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pleasant Prairie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,214.20 | $9,595 | $115,138 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,328.52 | $5,757 | $69,083 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $885.68 | $3,838 | $46,055 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Pleasant Prairie) | $55.35 |
| 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 Pleasant Prairie, WI earn a median of $115,138 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.13% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 5.00% below the Wisconsin state average of $121,197.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $55.35/hr = $69,083/year (purchasing power: $73,965).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $115,138/year (purchasing power: $123,274).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$52.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$55.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Pleasant Prairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.03/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $52.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Pleasant Prairie grew 29.9% from $40.71/hr (2019) to $52.87/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $57.96/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 Pleasant Prairie 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 Pleasant Prairie
In terms of part-time earnings, a lawyer working 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate would translate their annual income to around $43,000, a figure that starkly contrasts with full-time counterparts. The per diem reality is equally diverse; contract attorneys may bill $25-$50 per hour for document review, while more experienced professionals in 1099 arrangements can command fees between $200 and $500 per hour. For expert witness roles, compensation can soar to $400-$800 per hour. Different types of legal employment contribute to hourly variation in Pleasant Prairie—BigLaw firms typically offer higher hourly rates but often have demanding hours, whereas government roles and public interest work tend to pay less yet provide more favorable work-life balance. Lawyers must weigh the trade-offs between lower hourly rates that include employee benefits and higher freelance rates devoid of such perks. For those navigating compensation discussions, understanding the local market and knowing the going rates for different employer types can be instrumental in successful negotiations.
More salary data for Pleasant Prairie, 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 Pleasant Prairie. 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 Pleasant Prairie 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