Lawyer Salary in Fond du Lac, WI: $127,441 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Fond du Lac, WI earns a median $127,441/year (≈ $61.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Fond du Lac's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $139,062 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, lawyer compensation reflects the regional legal market's dynamics, with a median annual salary of $127,441 in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $167,174, emphasizing a significant disparity in pay levels. The salary range for lawyers in this area extends from $82,975 at the lower tenth percentile to $309,514 at the 90th percentile, indicating that while many lawyers earn respectable salaries, top earners in Fond du Lac can achieve considerable financial rewards. These insights are drawn from the latest estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. As aspiring lawyers or current practitioners assess opportunities, understanding these compensation benchmarks is critical for career planning in Fond du Lac's legal landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,975 | $39.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,999 | $47.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,441 | $61.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $183,131 | $88.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $309,514 | $148.81 |
Median Salary Position
23.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fond du Lac
In Fond du Lac, WI, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $226,539 (2026 est.). At $127,441, the local median is 23.77% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fond du Lac: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Fond du Lac Lawyer Pay Compares
Fond du Lac median: $127,441/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fond du Lac Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $121,257 | +5.10% more |
| National Average | $167,174 | -23.77% less |
Lawyers in Fond du Lac, WI earn a median of $127,441 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.77% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 5.10% above the Wisconsin state average of $121,257.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fond du Lac has a cost of living 8.36% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fond du Lac, WI has a cost-of-living index of 91.643 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $127,441 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,062 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.12% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,700
2025 BLS Actual
$121,720
2026 Current Est.
$127,441
2019–2027 Growth
+47.1%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Fond du Lac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,441 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,431 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fond du Lac metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 34.2% from $90,700 (2019) to $121,720 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,431 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,731 (47.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fond du Lac 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $82,975 – $97,999 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,999 – $127,441 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,441 – $183,131 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $183,131 – $309,514 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Fond du Lac
Employment prospects for lawyers in Fond du Lac are solid, with about 60 legal professionals currently working in the area. The local cost of living index sits at 91.643, suggesting that living expenses are below the national average, which could enhance take-home purchasing power for those practicing law. Among the various employer sectors, mid-sized and regional firms tend to be the most prevalent, while larger firms may offer better salary potential but often with more demanding hours. Factors contributing to salary variance include firm size, which generally sees BigLaw compensating considerably more than boutique or small firms, and the nature of employment, whether in the public or private sector. Those seeking to maximize their lawyer pay in Fond du Lac should consider strategic choices like pursuing partnership opportunities in firms, targeting clients in lucrative industries, or even exploring government positions, which, while lower in salary, can provide invaluable experience and stability.
More salary data for Fond du Lac, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $121,720 for lawyersin the Fond du Lac metropolitan area. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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