Paralegal Hourly Pay in Kenosha, WI: $27.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Kenosha, WI runs $27.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,868 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Kenosha's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.1, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,117 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Kenosha has a median paralegal hourly pay of $27.34, notably below the national median of $31.30. This discrepancy means that professionals working part-time, such as those clocking around 24 hours a week, may find their earnings fluctuate significantly based on their hours and specialty. For instance, working three days a week can yield a decent income while leaving room for flexibility in personal schedules. The hourly rates for paralegals in Kenosha cover a range from $22.48 for entry-level positions up to $42.23 for those with specialized skills or years of experience, making it accessible for various professionals in legal settings such as law firms, corporate legal departments, and government offices. These statistics come from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, offering insights into expected trends in the paralegal field.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.48 | $179.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.29 | $186.32 |
| Median (P50) | $27.34 | $218.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.80 | $238.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.23 | $337.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kenosha
Based on $27.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.34/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kenosha, WI can expect to earn approximately $56,861 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,804. With a cost-of-living index of 101.12 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Kenosha.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kenosha
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,093.48 | $4,738 | $56,861 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $656.09 | $2,843 | $34,117 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $437.39 | $1,895 | $22,744 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Kenosha) | $27.34 |
| Lawyer (National Avg) | $81.25 |
| Legal Secretary (National Avg) | $26.86 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
| Title Examiner / Abstractor (National Avg) | $29.85 |
Paralegals in Kenosha, WI earn a median of $56,868 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.64% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 6.60% above the Wisconsin state average of $53,347.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.34/hr = $34,117/year (purchasing power: $33,739).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,861/year (purchasing power: $56,232).
CoL index: 101.118 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Kenosha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Kenosha grew 21.6% from $21.73/hr (2019) to $26.41/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.30/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem paralegals can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kenosha 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 3.51% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Paralegal in Kenosha
Exploring the earning potential of a part-time paralegal in Kenosha reveals interesting dynamics. For example, a paralegal working three days a week for 24 hours would take home around $34,395 annually, significantly less than a full-time salary. This can make per-diem paralegal pay in Kenosha attractive, with contract opportunities typically ranging from $25 to $50 per hour depending on the employer. E-discovery specialists might command higher rates at $30 to $60 an hour, while those working as freelance corporate paralegals could earn even more, reaching $40 to $75 per hour. Hourly rates can vary considerably depending on the type of employer, with BigLaw firms often offering higher pay than smaller boutique firms or in-house corporate legal teams. However, some paralegals might opt for positions with lower hourly rates if they come with benefits like health insurance. Those navigating hourly negotiations in Kenosha should clearly articulate their experience and any specialized training that influences their pay rate.
More salary data for Kenosha, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jessica Tran, JD
Career Analyst
Jessica Tran has 10 years of experience in paralegal studies. She specializes in corporate law and works with a law firm. She trains new paralegals in legal research and documentation.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for paralegals in Kenosha. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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 3.51%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for paralegals (SOC 23-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, JD, a licensed paralegal with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov