Paralegal Salary in Wausau, WI: $47,190 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Wausau, WI earns a median $47,190/year (≈ $22.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Wausau's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $50,933 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.5% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the paralegal salary in Wausau, WI, is projected to be $47,190, significantly lower than the national median of $65,097. Salaries in the region will range from $45,161 at the 10th percentile to as high as $74,382 at the 90th percentile. This data originates from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflecting the unique dynamics of Wausau's legal job market. Paralegals in Wausau will find that working in corporate legal departments can provide a more favorable work-life balance compared to roles in law firms, where the demands can often push compensation higher, especially at larger firms. As a result, those weighing options should consider these factors when navigating their career path in the legal sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,161 | $21.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,213 | $21.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,190 | $22.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,564 | $26.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,382 | $35.76 |
Median Salary Position
27.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wausau
In Wausau, WI, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,221 (2026 est.). At $47,190, the local median is 27.51% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wausau: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Wausau Paralegal Pay Compares
Wausau median: $47,190/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wausau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $53,322 | -11.50% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -27.51% less |
Paralegals in Wausau, WI earn a median of $47,190 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.51% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 11.50% below the Wisconsin state average of $53,322.
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 paralegal earning $47,190 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,933 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,980
2025 BLS Actual
$45,590
2026 Current Est.
$47,190
2019–2027 Growth
+13.7%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,180 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,590 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,190 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,847 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wausau metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 6.1% from $42,980 (2019) to $45,590 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,847 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,867 (13.65%) 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 3.51% 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) | $45,161 – $45,213 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,213 – $47,190 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,190 – $55,564 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,564 – $74,382 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Wausau
Wausau's employment landscape includes approximately 130 paralegals, a modest number that highlights the niche market within the region. The cost of living index in Wausau is 92.651, which is below the national average, meaning that paralegal pay in Wausau WI offers relatable purchasing power despite lower salaries compared to larger markets. Among employers, in-house corporate legal departments typically offer better pay and stability than small law firms or government positions, benefiting from a more predictable workload. Salary variations within the field also hinge on factors like firm size, practice area, and specialized certifications. For instance, paralegals with expertise in e-discovery often command higher pay due to the demand for skills in software such as Relativity and Concordance. Those looking to maximize their paralegal pay in Wausau would benefit from pursuing additional certifications from NALA or NFPA, keeping an eye on in-demand specialties, and strategically weighing job offers based on the balance of salary and work-life considerations.
More salary data for Wausau, 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
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 $45,590 for paralegalsin the Wausau metropolitan area. A 3.51% 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 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