Paralegal Hourly Pay in Pleasant Prairie, WI: $24.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Pleasant Prairie, WI runs $24.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,656 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Pleasant Prairie's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,396 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, paralegals earn a median hourly pay of $24.36, which falls below the national median of $31.30. This hourly rate can present appealing opportunities for both part-time and per-diem positions in various settings such as law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies. Part-time paralegals working three days a week can expect to take home a consistent wage, while per-diem paralegals have the flexibility to adjust their work hours according to demand. The hourly pay range in Pleasant Prairie reflects a spectrum from $17.90 for entry-level positions to $37.75 for seasoned professionals in specialized roles. Notably, these figures are estimated based on annual salaries, illustrating the economic landscape for paralegals in this region.
About the Pleasant Prairie Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.90 | $143.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.55 | $156.42 |
| Median (P50) | $24.36 | $194.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.96 | $239.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.75 | $302.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pleasant Prairie
Based on $24.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.36/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pleasant Prairie, WI can expect to earn approximately $50,660 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,227. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pleasant Prairie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pleasant Prairie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $974.24 | $4,222 | $50,660 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $584.54 | $2,533 | $30,396 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $389.69 | $1,689 | $20,264 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Pleasant Prairie) | $24.36 |
| 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 Pleasant Prairie, WI earn a median of $50,656 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.18% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 5.00% below the Wisconsin state average of $53,322.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.36/hr = $30,396/year (purchasing power: $32,544).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,660/year (purchasing power: $54,240).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Pleasant Prairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Pleasant Prairie grew 21.6% from $19.36/hr (2019) to $23.53/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.21/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 Pleasant Prairie 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 Pleasant Prairie
Focusing on part-time earnings can reveal significant differences when comparing a paralegal working 24 hours a week to full-time counterparts. For a paralegal in Pleasant Prairie working three days a week at the median hourly pay, the take-home compensation can be considerably lower than that of full-time workers. The realm of per-diem paralegal work often sees contracts that offer rates from $25 to $50 per hour, with e-discovery specialists commanding upwards of $30 to $60 per hour. In particular, contract paralegals engaged in active litigation can earn between $50 to $90 per hour. The variation in hourly rates can also depend on employer type; for example, while BigLaw may offer higher pay, corporate legal departments might provide a more stable work-life balance. Paralegals must weigh the trade-offs, sometimes opting for lower hourly wages in exchange for health benefits. When negotiating hourly pay in Pleasant Prairie, clear communication about workload and value to the firm can be pivotal for securing competitive rates.
More salary data for Pleasant Prairie, 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 Pleasant Prairie. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pleasant Prairie 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 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