Wisconsin Paralegal Career and Salary Guide
Certification is not required in Wisconsin, but is available voluntarily to qualified applicants. Earning an accredited college degree or certificate is typically suggested to begin working in this field. On this page, you will find in-depth information on paralegal salaries in Wisconsin, the state-level job outlook for paralegals, and career resources to help you get started.
Table of Contents
- How to Become a Paralegal in Wisconsin
- Paralegal Certification
- Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
- Paralegal Resources
How to Become a Paralegal in Wisconsin
Many aspiring paralegals have a combination of education and on-the-job training. Earning voluntary paralegal certification can demonstrate competency and commitment to the profession. Following are the basic steps to becoming a paralegal in Wisconsin:
1. Earn a degree or certificate in paralegal studies.
Many paralegal schools in Wisconsin offer an associate degree in legal studies, bachelor’s in paralegal studies, or certificate in paralegal studies. These programs can help you gain the knowledge necessary to be successful in a paralegal position. The American Bar Association (ABA) has approved seven paralegal education programs in Wisconsin.1
2. Gain experience.
Many paralegal programs offer real-world experiences such as internships and work placements. These hands-on experiences can help you apply your education and gain confidence in your paralegal role. Even if your degree or certificate program doesn’t offer work experience for credit, you can gain entry-level paralegal experience through volunteering, job shadowing, or job recruitment programs. These experiences can lead to useful job references, contacts, or even career advancements.
3. Seek certification, if desired.
Paralegal certification is not mandatory in Wisconsin, but it is offered by the State Bar of Wisconsin (SBW) to qualified candidates. While Wisconsin does not require paralegal licensure or certification, voluntary certification is available and could help you stand out from the competition when applying for paralegal jobs. Read more about certification below.
Paralegal Certification in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, paralegals must be directly supervised by attorneys. Paralegals and legal assistants in Wisconsin are encouraged to seek certification through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA, the Paralegal Association), the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), or the National Association of Legal Support Professionals (NALS), which recognize paralegal competency at a national level. You can find out more about national certification in our guide Steps to Become a Paralegal.
Wisconsin Certification
While Wisconsin does not require paralegal certification, the State Bar of Wisconsin (SBW) offers the Certified Paralegal (SBWCP) credential as a voluntary certification. To qualify, paralegals must work under the supervision of a Wisconsin-licensed lawyer and meet specific education or experience criteria. Eligibility requirements include one of the following education paths:
- An associate or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies from an approved school
- An accredited associate or bachelor’s degree in any field including at least 18 credits of paralegal coursework
- At least 21 continuing legal education (CLE) credits in Wisconsin law from an approved institution
In addition to education, applicants must complete at least 2,000 hours of supervised paralegal work under a licensed Wisconsin attorney and, within the past 12 months, at least 15 CLE hours (including three in legal ethics and professional responsibility). For full details on requirements and how to apply, visit the SBW website.
Wisconsin Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
Projected Job Growth
-1%
Paralegals in Wisconsin from 2022-20322
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently reported that 4,640 paralegals and legal assistants were employed in Wisconsin, earning an average annual salary of $57,750.3 Projections Central has predicted a decline in job growth for paralegals and legal assistants of 1.0%, compared to positive growth nationwide for the profession, at 4.2%; still, there are projected to be 490 average annual openings for paralegal jobs over that period.2
Wisconsin Paralegal Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Number Employed4 | Average Annual Salary4 |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 4,640 | $57,750 |
| Appleton | 150 | $54,920 |
| Green Bay | 250 | $54,540 |
| Madison | 710 | $61,970 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis | 2,110 | $59,460 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah | 120 | $53,940 |
Paralegal Employers in Wisconsin
Many Wisconsin law firms, corporate legal departments, corporations, and government agencies employ paralegals. LinkedIn is a good research resource where you can search on geography (Wisconsin or city-level) for “paralegal” to find networking opportunities, job postings, and companies most associated with users identifying as paralegals; companies in Wisconsin with the most LinkedIn users as paralegals include:
- Foley & Lardner LLP
- Habush Habush & Rottier LLP
- Milwaukee County
- Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.
- Quarles & Brady LLP
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- von Briesen & Roper, s.c.
For more information about paralegal careers, take a look at our careers page.
Paralegal Resources
Here are some resources to help paralegals in Wisconsin with professional development, networking, and career growth.
Paralegal Associations in Wisconsin
These are volunteer organizations, typically with elected boards, that focus on professional development and networking for a specific geographical location and/or area of law.
- Madison Area Paralegal Association (MAPA): Provides regular networking and continuing education opportunities as a local affiliate of NALA, with over 130 members.
- Paralegal Association of Wisconsin (PAW): Promotes the voice of the paralegal profession in Wisconsin and offers professional development opportunities as a member of the NFPA.
Additional Resources
- Paralegal 411’s Job Board: For job openings in Wisconsin, visit our jobs board.
- University of Wisconsin Law Library: Offers circulation privileges for over 500,000 print volumes and digital resources to the University of Wisconsin-Madison students and any Wisconsin residents who apply for a law library card.
- Wisconsin Court System: Provides links to all courts within the Wisconsin system, as well as court news and events, rules and forms, e-filing systems, and legal research resources.
- Wisconsin State Law Library: Provides legal resources, research help, a borrow-by-mail service, and continuing legal education via three library branches in the state.
References:
1. American Bar Association Directory of ABA Approved Paralegal Education Programs: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/paralegals/paralegal-resource-directory/
2. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections, 2022-2032: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wages, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes232011.htm
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm