Paralegal Salary

Cicero vs Springfield: Paralegal Salary (2026)

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

Cicero, IL
$60,105
$28.90/hr
Springfield, IL
$62,096
$29.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCicero, ILSpringfield, IL
Median Salary$60,105$62,096
Hourly Rate$28.90$29.85
Entry Level (P10)$43,239$44,551
25th Percentile$48,021$50,006
75th Percentile$76,156$78,202
Top Earner (P90)$93,163$81,100
Total Employed21230
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cicero ($60,105) and Springfield ($62,096) paralegal salaries.CiceroSpringfieldMedian Salary$60,105$62,096Entry Level (P10)$43,239$44,551Top Earner (P90)$93,163$81,100US Median $65,097

Verdict

Springfield, IL offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Cicero.

The salary gap between Cicero and Springfield is $1,991 (3.31%). Springfield's median is -4.61% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cicero spans $49,924,Springfield spans $36,549. Cicero has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cicero
P10 (Entry)$43,239
P25$48,021
Median$60,105
P75$76,156
P90 (Top)$93,163
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$44,551
P25$50,006
Median$62,096
P75$78,202
P90 (Top)$81,100

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($66,953 effective) pays 8.16% more than Cicero ($61,900 effective).

Cicero
Nominal: $60,105
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $61,900
Springfield
Nominal: $62,096
CoL Index: 92.745
Adjusted: $66,953

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cicero if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($93,163)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,096/year)
  • Larger job market (230 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,953)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Cicero grew -3.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 9.2% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Cicero, IL

+-3.5%

$60,152 (2024) → $58,067 (2025)

Springfield, IL

+9.2%

$54,960 (2019) → $59,990 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Cicero or Springfield?

Springfield has a higher median paralegal salary at $62,096/year, compared to Cicero at $60,105/year — a difference of $1,991 (3.31%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cicero and Springfield?

Cicero paralegals earn $28.90/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $29.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cicero to Springfield as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cicero and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cicero = $61,900, Springfield = $66,953), job availability (21 vs 230 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Cicero vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $43,239 in Cicero and $44,551 in Springfield. The Springfield 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