Paralegal Hourly Pay in Gurnee, IL: $29.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Gurnee, IL runs $29.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,194 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Gurnee's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,713 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gurnee, Illinois, the paralegal hourly pay stands at $29.42, which is lower than the national hourly median of $31.30. This hourly rate offers an attractive option for part-time employees, especially those working three days a week, as well as per-diem workers who often find themselves in various settings such as law firms, corporate legal departments, or even court filing areas. Entry-level paralegals might expect to earn around $21.25, while experienced professionals can reach rates as high as $44.88 per hour. Such hourly earnings are crucial to consider for those pondering contract or freelance work, where the flexibility can influence their overall financial situation. Estimates for paralegal pay in Gurnee are derived from annual salary data and reflect the evolving needs of the legal industry in the region.
About the Gurnee 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) | $21.25 | $170.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.45 | $187.56 |
| Median (P50) | $29.42 | $235.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.30 | $290.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.88 | $359.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gurnee
Based on $29.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.42/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gurnee, IL can expect to earn approximately $61,188 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,301. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gurnee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gurnee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,176.70 | $5,099 | $61,188 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $706.02 | $3,059 | $36,713 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $470.68 | $2,040 | $24,475 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Gurnee) | $29.42 |
| 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 Gurnee, IL earn a median of $61,194 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.00% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 1.50% below the Illinois state average of $62,126.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.42/hr = $36,713/year (purchasing power: $37,810).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,188/year (purchasing power: $63,016).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Gurnee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Gurnee grew 21.6% from $23.38/hr (2019) to $28.42/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.45/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 Gurnee 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 Gurnee
The part-time earning potential for a paralegal working three days a week translates into approximately $45,000 annually, significantly lower than a full-time counterpart. In the realm of per diem paralegal pay in Gurnee, contract work varies widely, with billing traditionally ranging from $25 to $50 per hour, while specialized e-discovery roles often command $30 to $60 per hour. Freelancers working with small businesses typically see rates from $40 to $75 per hour, while those engaged in trial preparation during active litigation can earn $50 to $90 per hour. Employers in Gurnee, such as law firms and corporate legal departments, tend to offer different hourly pay scales, with larger firms often providing higher rates but sometimes demanding more intense workloads. For paralegals weighing their options, negotiating for a suitable hourly wage while considering benefits is key; some may prefer the security of health insurance over a higher hourly rate that comes without additional benefits. Signing bonuses or flexible hours might also be used as negotiation leverage, making it crucial for potential employees to understand the local market dynamics.
More salary data for Gurnee, 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 Gurnee. 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 Gurnee 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