Paralegal Salary

Algonquin vs Peoria: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between Algonquin, IL and Peoria, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Algonquin, IL
$60,259
$28.97/hr
Peoria, IL
$63,369
$30.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlgonquin, ILPeoria, IL
Median Salary$60,259$63,369
Hourly Rate$28.97$30.46
Entry Level (P10)$41,725$44,426
25th Percentile$50,551$50,254
75th Percentile$76,816$79,817
Top Earner (P90)$93,402$101,678
Total Employed5370
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Algonquin ($60,259) and Peoria ($63,369) paralegal salaries.AlgonquinPeoriaMedian Salary$60,259$63,369Entry Level (P10)$41,725$44,426Top Earner (P90)$93,402$101,678US Median $65,097

Verdict

Peoria, IL offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Algonquin.

The salary gap between Algonquin and Peoria is $3,110 (5.16%). Peoria's median is -2.65% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Algonquin spans $51,677,Peoria spans $57,252. Peoria has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced paralegals.

Algonquin
P10 (Entry)$41,725
P25$50,551
Median$60,259
P75$76,816
P90 (Top)$93,402
Peoria
P10 (Entry)$44,426
P25$50,254
Median$63,369
P75$79,817
P90 (Top)$101,678

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Peoria ($69,460 effective) pays 11.93% more than Algonquin ($62,059 effective).

Algonquin
Nominal: $60,259
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $62,059
Peoria
Nominal: $63,369
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $69,460

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Algonquin if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Peoria if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,369/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($101,678)
  • Larger job market (370 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,460)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Algonquin grew -3.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.0% growth in Peoria over the same period.

Algonquin, IL

+-3.5%

$60,306 (2024) → $58,216 (2025)

Peoria, IL

+20.0%

$51,030 (2019) → $61,220 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Algonquin or Peoria?

Peoria has a higher median paralegal salary at $63,369/year, compared to Algonquin at $60,259/year — a difference of $3,110 (5.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Algonquin and Peoria?

Algonquin paralegals earn $28.97/hr while Peoria hygienists earn $30.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Algonquin to Peoria as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Algonquin and Peoria. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Algonquin = $62,059, Peoria = $69,460), job availability (5 vs 370 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Algonquin vs Peoria?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $41,725 in Algonquin and $44,426 in Peoria. The Peoria area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JT

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.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Garcia, CLAData verified by Ayesha Khan, CP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.51% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, JD, a licensed paralegal with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov