Paralegal Hourly Pay in Bloomington, IL: $29.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Bloomington, IL runs $29.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,272 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Bloomington's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.5, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,359 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bloomington, Illinois, the paralegal hourly pay stands at a median of $29.94, slightly lower than the national hourly median of $31.30. For paralegals working part-time, particularly those who work three days a week, this hourly rate provides a solid income while accommodating a flexible schedule, often ideal for those balancing other commitments or studying within an ABA-approved program. Entry-level paralegals can expect to earn around $23.19 per hour, while more experienced professionals can reach up to $44.04 per hour in high-demand environments such as corporate legal departments and e-discovery projects. This data is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and paints an accurate picture of compensation trends in the Bloomington area for 2026.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.19 | $185.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.39 | $195.10 |
| Median (P50) | $29.94 | $239.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.65 | $293.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.04 | $352.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bloomington
Based on $29.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.94/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bloomington, IL can expect to earn approximately $62,265 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,922. With a cost-of-living index of 93.54 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bloomington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bloomington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,197.40 | $5,189 | $62,265 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $718.44 | $3,113 | $37,359 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $478.96 | $2,075 | $24,906 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Bloomington) | $29.94 |
| 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 Bloomington, IL earn a median of $62,272 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.34% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 0.30% above the Illinois state average of $62,085.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.94/hr = $37,359/year (purchasing power: $39,940).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,265/year (purchasing power: $66,567).
CoL index: 93.537 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Bloomington grew 24.5% from $23.22/hr (2019) to $28.92/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.99/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 Bloomington 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 Bloomington
For paralegals considering part-time employment, the potential earnings for a 24-hour workweek amount to nearly $37,576 annually, which differs significantly from full-time salaries. Many paralegals pursue per diem opportunities, earning anywhere from $25 to $60 per hour depending on their specific roles, such as e-discovery review or trial preparation. Freelance corporate paralegals may charge between $40 and $75 per hour, showcasing the broad earning potential in Bloomington. The variability in hourly rates across different employer types reflects the trade-offs in work benefits; for instance, paralegals at large law firms may accept lower pay for job security and benefits, while those seeking freelance positions can command higher hourly rates at the expense of stability. Negotiating hourly pay in Bloomington should focus on proving specialized skills or experience in areas like e-discovery, which is highly valued and increasingly in demand within the legal field.
More salary data for Bloomington, 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 Bloomington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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