Paralegal Hourly Pay in Belleville, IL: $28.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Belleville, IL runs $28.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,228 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Belleville's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,538 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Belleville, Illinois, the projected median hourly rate for paralegals in 2026 is $28.48, which is notably lower than the national median of $31.30. For part-time workers—often employed three days a week—this rate translates to a flexible yet lower total annual income compared to full-time positions, appealing to those seeking work-life balance. Additionally, per-diem paralegals find themselves navigating various work environments such as law offices, corporate legal departments, and remote e-discovery reviews, which offer varied demands and experiences. The hourly rate in this field ranges from $21.39 for entry-level positions to $44.14 for those at the top of their earning potential, highlighting the opportunities for growth within legal work settings in Belleville.
About the Belleville Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.39 | $171.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.29 | $186.32 |
| Median (P50) | $28.48 | $227.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.76 | $286.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.14 | $353.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Belleville
Based on $28.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.48/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Belleville, IL can expect to earn approximately $59,229 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,171. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Belleville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Belleville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,139.02 | $4,936 | $59,229 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $683.41 | $2,961 | $35,538 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $455.61 | $1,974 | $23,692 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Belleville) | $28.48 |
| Lawyer (National Avg) | $81.25 |
| Legal Secretary (National Avg) | $26.86 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
| Title Examiner / Abstractor (National Avg) | $29.85 |
Paralegals in Belleville, IL earn a median of $59,228 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.02% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 4.60% below the Illinois state average of $62,084.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.48/hr = $35,538/year (purchasing power: $36,599).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,229/year (purchasing power: $60,998).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Belleville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Belleville grew 21.6% from $22.63/hr (2019) to $27.51/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.48/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem paralegals can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Belleville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.51% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Paralegal in Belleville
Assessing earnings for paralegals reveals interesting dynamics, especially when considering part-time positions. A paralegal working 24 hours per week at the median rate would earn $32,074 annually, providing a manageable income despite the lack of full-time hours. For contract or freelance paralegals, the earning potential can vary significantly; while standard contract work bills at $25-$50 per hour, e-discovery specialists may see rates rise to between $30 and $60 per hour. Bigger gaps can appear when comparing salaries across different employer types—law firms and governmental offices may offer more competitive pay, while benefits such as health insurance might sway prospective employees toward lower-paying, full-time roles. Those negotiating hourly pay in Belleville should be aware of these nuances and might leverage their specific skills, such as expertise in e-discovery software, to drive their rates higher.
More salary data for Belleville, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for paralegals in Belleville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Belleville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.51%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for paralegals (SOC 23-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, JD, a licensed paralegal with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov