Lawyer Salary in Madison, WI
Lawyers in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median $124,130 a year — 22% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $90,910 take-home, or $7,576 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$18,525
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,696
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,800
- Wisconsin income tax$5,198
- Take-home pay$90,910
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 5.30% state
Lawyer pay by experience in Madison, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,040 | $37.04 | $60,325 | $5,027 |
| 25th percentile | $99,020 | $47.61 | $74,623 | $6,219 |
| Median (50th) | $124,130 | $59.68 | $90,910 | $7,576 |
| 75th percentile | $171,300 | $82.36 | $120,651 | $10,054 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $365,510+ | $175.73 | $237,801 | $19,817 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $124,130 buys in Madison, WI
Prices in Madison, WI are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 0% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median lawyer's $90,910 take-home pay has the buying power of $93,446 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Lawyer jobs are about as common in Madison, WI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.94).
Best-paying cities for lawyers, adjusted for cost of living
Madison, WI ranks #113 of 149 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $239,200+ | $188,293 | $170,520 |
| 2 | Birmingham, AL | $170,230 | $119,372 | $130,256 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $208,880 | $144,183 | $128,091 |
| 4 | Peoria, IL | $161,150 | $113,580 | $124,497 |
| 5 | Dallas, TX | $168,510 | $126,443 | $122,653 |
| 6 | Chattanooga, TN | $147,640 | $112,178 | $122,647 |
| 7 | Reno, NV | $163,380 | $122,936 | $121,702 |
| 8 | Washington, DC | $195,190 | $131,718 | $120,971 |
| 113 | Madison, WI | $124,130 | $90,910 | $93,446 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 149 metros →
Lawyer salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- Milwaukee, WI — $131,100
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Madison, WI?
The median lawyer salary in the Madison, WI metro area is $124,130 a year, or about $59.68 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $99,020 and $171,300.
What is a lawyer’s take-home pay in Madison, WI?
On the median $124,130 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $90,910 a year ($7,576 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,198 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Madison, WI a good place to work as a lawyer?
Pay here is 22% below the national median of $159,670. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $93,446 would in a typical U.S. city. Madison, WI ranks #113 of 149 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a lawyer afford rent in Madison, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Madison, WI is $1,377 a month ($1,600 for two bedrooms) — 18% of a median lawyer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $60,800