Lawyer Hourly Pay in Sun Prairie, WI: $56.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Sun Prairie, WI runs $56.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $117,777 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Sun Prairie's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $60.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $70,664 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, the lawyer hourly pay is projected to reach $56.62 in 2026, significantly lower than the national hourly median of $80.37. This disparity highlights the regional variations in compensation, making part-time positions and per-diem work less lucrative compared to larger markets. For lawyers working three days a week, this hourly rate translates to approximately $43,000 annually, a figure that might constrain lifestyle choices depending on living costs. The hourly range in Sun Prairie varies widely, from an entry-level rate of $32.84 to a top salary of $87.77, reflecting the experience and specialization of lawyers. Many professionals in this field work in diverse settings, including law firm partner offices, courtrooms, and corporate legal departments, where they handle varied legal tasks that demand different levels of expertise and client interaction.
About the Sun 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) | $32.84 | $262.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.77 | $326.16 |
| Median (P50) | $56.62 | $452.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72.47 | $579.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87.77 | $702.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sun Prairie
Based on $56.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $56.62/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sun Prairie, WI can expect to earn approximately $117,773 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $67,946. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sun Prairie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sun Prairie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,264.87 | $9,814 | $117,773 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,358.92 | $5,889 | $70,664 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $905.95 | $3,926 | $47,109 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Sun Prairie) | $56.62 |
| 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 Sun Prairie, WI earn a median of $117,777 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.55% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 2.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $121,170.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $56.62/hr = $70,664/year (purchasing power: $75,657).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $117,773/year (purchasing power: $126,096).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$54.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$56.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Sun Prairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.35/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $54.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Sun Prairie grew 29.9% from $41.65/hr (2019) to $54.08/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $59.28/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 Sun 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 Sun Prairie
Exploring the earning potential for part-time lawyers reveals that those working 24 hours a week may find it challenging to achieve financial stability compared to their full-time counterparts. Per-diem lawyer pay in Sun Prairie often ranges from $25 to $50 per hour for contract attorney roles, while seasoned attorneys billing under 1099 arrangements can charge between $200 and $500 per hour. Specific sectors also feature different pay scales; large law firms may offer premium wages, while public sector roles typically provide lower compensation but added benefits like health insurance and job security. Legal professionals often must balance hourly rates against benefits, sometimes opting for higher immediate compensation devoid of health plans. Negotiating hourly rates should take into account local market conditions and firm types, as those in larger firms or specialized boutique practices tend to command more favorable rates. Understanding the nuances of lawyer hourly rates in Sun Prairie can empower practitioners to make informed career decisions.
More salary data for Sun 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 Sun 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 Sun 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