Legislators in Wisconsin
Want to work as a Legislators in Wisconsin? Below are the key facts. Develop, introduce, or enact laws and statutes at the local, tribal, state, or federal level. Includes only workers in elected positions.
What do Legislators Make in Wisconsin?
For a legislators working in Wisconsin, the typical annual salary is $58,850 per year.Earnings range from $19,760 at the 10th percentile to $133,670 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $19,760 | n/a |
| 25th percentile | $31,600 | n/a |
| Median (50th) | $58,850 | $0.00 |
| 75th percentile | $92,030 | n/a |
| 90th percentile | $133,670 | n/a |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Wisconsin compared to the national average — is 1.91, indicating that legislators are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, legislators earn a median of $167,600 per year ($80.58/hour), lower than the Wisconsin median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 103,736 legislators nationwide. In Wisconsin alone, around 960 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 460 legislators.
Top Wisconsin Metros for Legislators
These are the Wisconsin metros with the most legislators in Wisconsin.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | 170 | $53,420 |
| Green Bay, WI | 80 | $49,050 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | 70 | $60,740 |
| Madison, WI | 50 | $79,430 |
Top States for Legislators Employment
View the states that employ the most legislators work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 2,470 |
| Texas | 2,040 |
| New York | 1,440 |
| Ohio | 1,360 |
| Washington | 1,300 |
| Missouri | 1,210 |
| Alabama | 1,120 |
| Wisconsin | 960 |
| Georgia | 960 |
| Indiana | 950 |
| Florida | 810 |
| Pennsylvania | 770 |
| West Virginia | 750 |
| South Carolina | 660 |
| Colorado | 530 |
| Idaho | 530 |
| Maryland | 500 |
| Arkansas | 460 |
| Arizona | 450 |
| Montana | 440 |
Highest-Paying States for Legislators
Where legislators earn the most: legislators.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $109,390 |
| New York | $97,050 |
| Hawaii | $74,150 |
| Michigan | $73,110 |
| Colorado | $66,700 |
| Wisconsin | $58,850 |
| Delaware | $58,250 |
| Maryland | $54,430 |
| California | $54,290 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,490 |
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Analyze and understand the local and national implications of proposed legislation.
- Appoint nominees to leadership posts, or approve such appointments.
- Confer with colleagues to formulate positions and strategies pertaining to pending issues.
- Debate the merits of proposals and bill amendments during floor sessions, following the appropriate rules of procedure.
- Develop expertise in subject matters related to committee assignments.
- Hear testimony from constituents, representatives of interest groups, board and commission members, and others with an interest in bills or issues under consideration.
- Keep abreast of the issues affecting constituents by making personal visits and phone calls, reading local newspapers, and viewing or listening to local broadcasts.
- Maintain knowledge of relevant national and international current events.
- Make decisions that balance the perspectives of private citizens, public officials, and party leaders.
- Negotiate with colleagues or members of other political parties in order to reconcile differing interests, and to create policies and agreements.
- Prepare drafts of amendments, government policies, laws, rules, regulations, budgets, programs and procedures.
- Read and review concerns of constituents or the general public and determine if governmental action is necessary.
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Cisco Webex
Related Careers
Other careers like legislators include:
- Treasurers and Controllers
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary
- Social and Community Service Managers
- Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
- Labor Relations Specialists
Also Known As
Alderman, Assembly Member, Assembly Person, Assemblyman, Assemblywoman, City Alderman, City Council Member, City Councilman, Congress Member, Congressional Representative, Congressman, Congresswoman, Council Member, Councilman, Councilor.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 11-1031.00