Paralegal Hourly Pay in Peoria, IL: $30.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Peoria, IL runs $30.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,369 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Peoria's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.2, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,018 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Peoria, Illinois, the paralegal hourly pay stands at a median rate of $30.46, slightly below the national hourly median of $31.30. This pay level provides a solid foundation for both part-time and per-diem workers within legal settings, whether in traditional law firm cubicles, corporate legal department offices, or the bustling environments of courtrooms. With an hourly range stretching from $21.36 for entry-level positions to $48.89 for those at the top of their field, paralegals can find opportunities tailored to their skills and experience. This data, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS figures, showcases the earning potential within Peoria, a crucial insight for individuals considering a career in this sector.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.36 | $170.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.16 | $193.27 |
| Median (P50) | $30.46 | $243.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.37 | $306.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.89 | $391.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Peoria
Based on $30.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.46/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Peoria, IL can expect to earn approximately $63,363 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,556. With a cost-of-living index of 91.23 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Peoria.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Peoria
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,218.52 | $5,280 | $63,363 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $731.11 | $3,168 | $38,018 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $487.41 | $2,112 | $25,345 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Peoria) | $30.46 |
| 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 Peoria, IL earn a median of $63,369 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.65% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 2.10% above the Illinois state average of $62,065.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.46/hr = $38,018/year (purchasing power: $41,672).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,363/year (purchasing power: $69,453).
CoL index: 91.231 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Peoria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Peoria grew 19.9% from $24.54/hr (2019) to $29.43/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.53/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 Peoria 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 Peoria
Looking more closely at the financial landscape for paralegals working in Peoria, part-time practitioners clocking in at around 24 hours a week can expect to earn a significantly different annual income compared to their full-time counterparts. In contrast, per-diem paralegal pay in Peoria typically falls between $25 to $50 an hour, with specialized e-discovery roles commanding higher rates from $30 to $60 per hour, and freelance corporate paralegals garnering $40 to $75 an hour. The workplace type plays a vital role in shaping these earnings, as paralegals functioning in BigLaw settings may face intense work schedules but often receive premium pay. Alternatively, those employed in governmental or non-profit organizations might trade off greater stability for lower hourly compensation. Negotiation tactics can also be crucial; aspiring paralegals should assess how benefits, like health insurance, factor into overall compensation when weighing opportunities.
More salary data for Peoria, 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 Peoria. 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