Do paralegals need a license in Wisconsin?

No statewide license is required for paralegals in Wisconsin. Most employers expect industry certifications such as CP (Certified Paralegal), and AAfPE Certificate.

How to Become a Paralegal in Wisconsin (2026)

Q: How much do paralegals earn in Wisconsin?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), paralegals in Wisconsin earned a median annual wage of approximately $58,500. Employment concentration in Wisconsin is roughly 0.64 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for paralegals in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin currently employs approximately 4,780 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 0.2% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Wisconsin paralegals and legal assistants earn a median annual wage of $58,500 ($28.12/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 4,780 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -7.0% below the national median of $62,890 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $58,500 ($28.12/hr)
25th percentile: $47,690 per year
75th percentile: $71,130 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $86,210 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $45,220 per year
Workers employed in Wisconsin: 4,780
Versus national median: -7.0% below the U.S. median of $62,890
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.64 - this occupation is less concentrated in Wisconsin than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Wisconsin employs about 4,780 paralegals earning a median $58,500 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). No statewide license is required; most paralegals train through a certificate program and earn an industry certification before employers will hire them.

Key Facts

Median wage (Wisconsin): $58,500/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in Wisconsin: 4,780 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 0.64x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 0.2% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

Compare Paralegal Schools in Wisconsin

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Fox Valley Technical College	67.6	$5,040 - $16,862	$55,857	63%	Yes*	61 mi
2	Moraine Park Technical College	66.9	$4,819 - $14,583	$53,771	54%	Yes*	28 mi
3	Lakeshore Technical College	63.9	$4,844 - $14,599	$50,985	46%	Yes*	57 mi
4	Northeast Wisconsin Technical College	62.5	Contact school for pricing	$54,887	49%	Yes*	81 mi
5	Madison Area Technical College	59.1	Contact school for pricing	$55,207	28%	Yes*	40 mi
6	Milwaukee Area Technical College	52.5	$5,184 - $17,359	$52,346	25%	Yes*	45 mi
7	College of Lake County	47.4	$4,788 - $14,400	$52,821	38%	—	80 mi
8	Herzing University-Brookfield	46.5	Contact school for pricing	$58,575	41%	Yes*	37 mi
9	Herzing University-Madison	35.8	Contact school for pricing	$58,575	28%	Yes*	38 mi
10	Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa	22.9	Contact school for pricing	$43,374	22%	—	39 mi

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Wisconsin employs approximately 4,780 paralegals according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,500 ¹. Nationally, paralegal employment is projected to grow 0.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 39,300 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Paralegal in Wisconsin, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school or community college
Typical timeline: varies by program; confirm with the school
Median wage (Wisconsin): $58,500 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Paralegal in Wisconsin

How to become a Paralegal in Wisconsin? Wisconsin does not require a state license for paralegals, but employers typically expect industry certifications such as CP (Certified Paralegal) and AAfPE Certificate. Complete a training program to prepare.

How long does it take? paralegal training length in Wisconsin varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.

Do I need a license in Wisconsin? No state license is required, but certifications such as CP (Certified Paralegal) and AAfPE Certificate are expected by most employers.

What do paralegals earn in Wisconsin? The median annual wage for paralegals in Wisconsin is $58,500 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $45,220 and experienced professionals can earn $86,210 or more ¹.

How to Become a Paralegal in Wisconsin

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Wisconsin training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved paralegal program in Wisconsin that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
Earn an industry certification. While Wisconsin does not require a statewide license, earn CP (Certified Paralegal) to meet employer expectations and improve hiring prospects.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Paralegal Certification Options in Wisconsin

Wisconsin does not require a state license to work as a paralegal. However, industry certifications can strengthen your resume and may be required by employers.

Common certifications for paralegals include:

CP (Certified Paralegal)
AAfPE Certificate

For more information, visit the NALA - Paralegal Association ³. Contact training programs in Wisconsin for details on certification preparation courses.

Paralegal Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin

Paralegals and Legal Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), paralegals and legal assistants wages in Wisconsin vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington	5,990	$76,220	$76,230	$49,230	$105,220
Milwaukee-Waukesha	1,880	$60,340	$64,370	$47,130	$87,290
Madison	850	$60,800	$63,100	$47,520	$82,770
Green Bay	220	$51,520	$57,800	$44,410	$79,900
Duluth	180	$57,790	$60,560	$45,610	$80,660
Appleton	180	$57,450	$57,370	$45,970	$76,640
Racine-Mount Pleasant	130	$52,000	$56,310	$37,740	$78,240
Wausau	130	$45,590	$51,090	$43,630	$71,860
Oshkosh-Neenah	120	$56,780	$59,680	$46,080	$85,850
Eau Claire	110	$49,050	$54,800	$45,410	$65,830
Kenosha	110	$54,940	$58,540	$45,170	$84,870
La Crosse-Onalaska	100	$49,720	$57,270	$44,230	$77,930
Janesville-Beloit	80	$50,780	$55,480	$44,010	$75,490
Sheboygan	70	$51,410	$55,020	$45,820	$69,210
Fond du Lac	30	$47,420	$52,670	$45,480	$71,620

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for paralegals in Wisconsin? Wisconsin currently employs approximately 4,780 paralegals ¹. Nationally, paralegal employment is projected to grow 0.2% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Wisconsin? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Wisconsin.

How much do paralegals earn in Wisconsin compared to the national average? The median annual wage for paralegals in Wisconsin is $58,500, which is $2,510 below the national median of $61,010 according to BLS data ¹.

In Wisconsin

Best Trade Schools in Wisconsin (2026)

Top local programs

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NALA - Paralegal Association: https://www.nala.org/ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)