Lawyer Salary in Wausau, WI: $111,286 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Wausau, WI earns a median $111,286/year (≈ $53.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Wausau's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $120,113 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.2% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for lawyers in Wausau, WI, is estimated at $111,286. This figure reflects a significant gap when compared to the national median of $167,174, highlighting a 33.43% disparity. Local salary ranges for lawyers span from $68,432 at the 10th percentile to $302,018 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the varied earning potential depending on experience and sector. These insights are drawn from preliminary data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) based on 2025 figures, projected to 2026. In Wausau, the legal job market tends to be shaped by the divide between public sector roles and private practice, where the potential for student loan forgiveness under PSLF is an attractive trade-off for those in government or nonprofit positions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,432 | $32.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,215 | $40.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $111,286 | $53.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,384 | $79.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $302,018 | $145.20 |
Median Salary Position
33.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wausau
In Wausau, WI, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $233,586 (2026 est.). At $111,286, the local median is 33.43% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wausau: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Wausau Lawyer Pay Compares
Wausau median: $111,286/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wausau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $121,226 | -8.20% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -33.43% less |
Lawyers in Wausau, WI earn a median of $111,286 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.43% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 8.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $121,226.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wausau has a cost of living 7.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wausau, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.651 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $111,286 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $120,113 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$93,360
2025 BLS Actual
$106,290
2026 Current Est.
$111,286
2019–2027 Growth
+24.8%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,500 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,680 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $111,286 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $116,516 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wausau metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 13.8% from $93,360 (2019) to $106,290 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $116,516 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,156 (24.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wausau 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) | $68,432 – $85,215 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,215 – $111,286 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $111,286 – $165,384 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,384 – $302,018 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Wausau
Around 150 lawyers are currently employed in Wausau, contributing to a competitive local job market. This small locale benefits from a cost-of-living index of 92.651, which is slightly below the national average. This means lawyers here can achieve a better take-home pay relative to living expenses compared to many urban counterparts. Among local employers, regional and boutique firms typically pay between $85,215 and $165,384, while federal and state government positions, such as those in the Department of Justice, might offer lower salaries but often include additional benefits like job stability and loan forgiveness. The significant variance in salaries arises from tier differences within the legal market, where large firms often demand high billable hours and offer greater bonuses. For those seeking to maximize their lawyer salary in Wausau, gaining experience in higher-paying sectors, focusing on partnership track opportunities in private practice, or considering roles in in-house legal departments may yield the best financial outcomes.
More salary data for Wausau, 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 $106,290 for lawyersin the Wausau 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