Lawyer Salary in Franklin, WI: $116,526 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Franklin, WI earns a median $116,526/year (≈ $56.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Franklin's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $124,760 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Franklin, Wisconsin, the 2026 lawyer salary projects a median annual compensation of $116,526, reflecting a regionally adjusted landscape that contrasts sharply with the national figure of $167,174. The salary range for lawyers here varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $67,585, while seasoned professionals can command up to $180,615. These figures are derived from the 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost realities, including a cost-of-living index currently at 93.4, which showcases the financial context in which these salaries operate. Given the billable hour expectations typically demanded in legal practices, lawyers in Franklin find themselves balancing competitive pay without the crushing hours often associated with BigLaw firms.
About the Franklin Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,585 | $32.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,898 | $40.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $116,526 | $56.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $149,154 | $71.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $180,615 | $86.84 |
Median Salary Position
30.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Franklin
In Franklin, WI, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $113,030 (2026 est.). At $116,526, the local median is 30.3% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Franklin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Franklin Lawyer Pay Compares
Franklin median: $116,526/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Franklin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $121,255 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -30.30% less |
Lawyers in Franklin, WI earn a median of $116,526 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.30% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 3.90% below the Wisconsin state average of $121,255.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Franklin has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Franklin, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $116,526 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $124,760 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$85,707
2025 BLS Actual
$111,295
2026 Current Est.
$116,526
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Franklin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,707 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,474 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,213 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,615 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,599 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,237 | Actual |
| 2025 | $111,295 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,526 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $122,003 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Franklin metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $85,707 (2019) to $111,295 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $122,003 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,296 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Franklin 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) | $67,585 – $83,898 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,898 – $116,526 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $116,526 – $149,154 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $149,154 – $180,615 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Franklin
The local legal job market in Franklin is relatively small, comprising just eight active lawyers, suggesting a niche environment where opportunities may be limited but specific demands can drive compensation. With the cost of living being lower than the national average, take-home purchasing power is arguably better than it appears when just looking at gross figures. Large firms like Cravath and other top-tier employers do not have a notable presence in Franklin; instead, mid-sized and boutique firms deliver the bulk of employment opportunities. The spread in salaries is influenced by factors such as practice area, firm size, and whether the job is in the public or private sector. Typically, attorneys in private practice might target higher earnings, whereas those in government roles may benefit from job stability and potential student loan forgiveness programs. For new lawyers looking to maximize their pay in this market, focusing on specialty practice areas and potential in-house roles could offer a balanced blend of compensation and job satisfaction.
More salary data for Franklin, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do lawyers make in Franklin, WI in 2026?
Is Franklin, WI a good place to work as a lawyer?
Can lawyers make $100K in Franklin?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted lawyer salary in Franklin?
How much does a lawyer make per hour in Franklin?
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
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 $111,295 for lawyersin the Franklin 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
Salary data for Franklin 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