Paralegal Hourly Pay in Urbana, IL: $29.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Urbana, IL runs $29.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,416 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Urbana's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,248 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Urbana, IL, the paralegal hourly pay sits at a median of $29.04, which is approximately 7.19% lower than the national median of $31.30. This figure is significant for those considering part-time opportunities in the legal field, where many may work a typical schedule of three days a week, earning a reliable income from diverse settings such as law offices, corporate legal departments, and even remote e-discovery tasks. The hourly wage can vary substantially, with entry-level positions at around $22.43 and experienced paralegals earning as much as $45.02 per hour. These estimated rates are drawn from annual salary data, reflecting the income potential for those in various legal support roles across Urbana's legal landscape.
About the Urbana 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) | $22.43 | $179.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.22 | $193.77 |
| Median (P50) | $29.04 | $232.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.89 | $295.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.02 | $360.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Urbana
Based on $29.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.04/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Urbana, IL can expect to earn approximately $60,413 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,854. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Urbana.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Urbana
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,161.80 | $5,034 | $60,413 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $697.08 | $3,021 | $36,248 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $464.72 | $2,014 | $24,165 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Urbana) | $29.04 |
| 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 Urbana, IL earn a median of $60,416 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.19% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 2.70% below the Illinois state average of $62,092.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.04/hr = $36,248/year (purchasing power: $37,331).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,413/year (purchasing power: $62,218).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Urbana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Urbana grew 21.6% from $23.09/hr (2019) to $28.06/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.06/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 Urbana 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 Urbana
Exploring the earning potential for a part-time paralegal working 24 hours a week reveals a take-home of about $36,337 annually, quite different from full-time salaries. Many paralegals may consider per diem or contract work, with typical rates ranging from $25 to $90 per hour, depending on the nature of the assignment and experience level. Opportunities abound in various settings, including law firms of differing sizes and corporate legal offices, where compensation strategies vary widely. Some paralegals may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits, while others pursue freelance opportunities for higher pay without the safety net of insurance. Negotiating these terms is crucial, and those in Urbana should prepare to discuss their skills, especially in e-discovery, which can command premium per diem paralegal pay in the local market.
More salary data for Urbana, 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 Urbana. 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 Urbana 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