Paralegal Hourly Pay in Decatur, IL: $29.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Decatur, IL runs $29.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,785 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Decatur's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.4, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,075 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Decatur, Illinois, paralegals can expect a median hourly pay of $29.71, which is slightly lower than the national median of $31.30 for this occupation. This hourly wage translates to various employment scenarios. For instance, a part-time paralegal working three days a week can earn a steady income while having a better work-life balance, often suitable for those juggling other commitments. The hourly pay range for paralegals in Decatur starts at $22.53 for entry-level positions and can go up to $42.33 for more experienced professionals. Many paralegals work in diverse environments such as law firms, corporate legal departments, or even in remote settings, adapting to the nuances of each workplace.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.53 | $180.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.85 | $190.79 |
| Median (P50) | $29.71 | $237.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.34 | $298.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.33 | $338.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Decatur
Based on $29.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.71/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Decatur, IL can expect to earn approximately $61,791 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,649. With a cost-of-living index of 88.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Decatur.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Decatur
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,188.29 | $5,149 | $61,791 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $712.98 | $3,090 | $37,075 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $475.32 | $2,060 | $24,717 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Decatur) | $29.71 |
| 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 Decatur, IL earn a median of $61,785 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.09% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 0.50% below the Illinois state average of $62,096.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.71/hr = $37,075/year (purchasing power: $41,929).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,791/year (purchasing power: $69,882).
CoL index: 88.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+13.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Decatur grew 5.9% from $27.11/hr (2019) to $28.70/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.75/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 Decatur 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 Decatur
When considering part-time positions, a paralegal working 24 hours a week could take home around $36,000 annually, which varies significantly compared to full-time earnings. Many opt for per diem roles, with rates generally falling between $25 and $50 per hour, while e-discovery specialists command higher fees of up to $60 per hour due to their specialized skills in using tools like Relativity or Concordance. Different types of employers in Decatur, whether law firms, corporate settings, or government agencies, offer varying hourly rates. Negotiation can be crucial here; some paralegals may find it worth accepting a slightly lower hourly rate for positions that provide benefits like health insurance. It's also wise for paralegals in this city to assess the advantages of contract or freelance work, where pay can be higher, but with the trade-offs of stability and benefits.
More salary data for Decatur, 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 Decatur. 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, 6-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