Paralegal salary and cost of hiring in Wisconsin
The median paralegal in Wisconsin earned $58,500 a year in May 2025[1], 7.0% below the US median of $62,890. That puts Wisconsin at #37 of 51 states for this job.
BLS occupation 23-2011. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Salary range
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $45,220 | $58,500 | $86,210 | |
| United States | $44,740 | $62,890 | $101,500 |
The middle half of paralegals in Wisconsin earns $47,690–$71,130; the top tenth earns $86,210 or more, 1.9 times the bottom tenth.
What a hire really costs
Benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2]. At the Wisconsin median that makes about $83,571 a year before recruiting, equipment and office space. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for paralegals we answer within one business day whether we can help. Enter the monthly pay you have in mind to compare it with a local hire. The fee field shows our standard fee[3]; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool[4].
Pay by metro area in Wisconsin
| Area | Median | 75th percentile | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison, WI | $74,020 | 850 | |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $76,650 | 1,880 | |
| Appleton, WI | $63,270 | 180 | |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $63,320 | 120 | |
| Kenosha, WI | $59,880 | 110 | |
| Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $65,260 | 90 | |
| Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $63,970 | 150 | |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $60,800 | 130 | |
| South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $60,880 | 190 | |
| Green Bay, WI | $62,810 | 220 | |
| Sheboygan, WI | $60,070 | 70 | |
| Northwestern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $58,920 | 60 | |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $59,400 | 80 | |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $61,860 | 100 | |
| Eau Claire, WI | $59,540 | 110 | |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $53,430 | 30 | |
| Wausau, WI | $53,680 | 130 |
Madison, WI pays the most ($60,800) and Wausau, WI the least ($45,590): $15,210 a year apart for the same job.
What a paralegal does
A paralegal supports lawyers with research, document drafting, filing and case management, under the supervision of a licensed attorney.
Neighbours in the ranking
| State | Median | vs Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | +0.9% | |
| Tennessee | +0.5% | |
| Wisconsin | +0.0% | |
| South Dakota | -0.3% | |
| North Carolina | -1.7% |
Questions
How much does a paralegal earn in Wisconsin?
The median was $58,500 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey; the middle half earned $47,690 to $71,130.
What does it cost to employ a paralegal in Wisconsin?
About $83,571 a year at the median wage once benefits are added, using the 30% benefits share of US private industry (June 2026).
Where in Wisconsin do paralegals earn the most?
Madison, WI, with a median of $60,800 a year.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 23-2011: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes232011.htm
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm
- Silkstaff pricing: https://silkstaff.com/#pricing
- Deel pricing, contractor management: https://www.deel.com/pricing/
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-05.