Paralegal Hourly Pay in Waukegan, IL: $29.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Waukegan, IL runs $29.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,186 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Waukegan's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,307 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waukegan, Illinois, paralegals can expect a median hourly pay of $29.89, which falls slightly below the national median of $31.30. This rate affords part-time workers, such as those in law firms or corporate legal departments, a viable income while balancing other responsibilities. For example, a paralegal working three days a week, or 24 hours, could potentially earn around $3,300 monthly at this rate, which is favorable compared to many part-time roles. The hourly range for paralegals in Waukegan starts at $20.73 for entry-level positions and can rise to $46.34 for the most experienced professionals. With such a varied salary scale, opportunities abound in different environments—be it law offices, corporate settings, or even remote e-discovery tasks.
About the Waukegan 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) | $20.73 | $165.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.31 | $186.48 |
| Median (P50) | $29.89 | $239.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.96 | $303.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.34 | $370.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waukegan
Based on $29.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.89/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waukegan, IL can expect to earn approximately $62,179 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,872. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waukegan.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waukegan
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,195.75 | $5,182 | $62,179 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $717.45 | $3,109 | $37,307 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $478.30 | $2,073 | $24,872 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Waukegan) | $29.89 |
| 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 Waukegan, IL earn a median of $62,186 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.47% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 0.10% above the Illinois state average of $62,124.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.89/hr = $37,307/year (purchasing power: $38,422).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,179/year (purchasing power: $64,036).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Waukegan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Waukegan grew 21.6% from $23.76/hr (2019) to $28.88/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.94/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 Waukegan 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 Waukegan
Part-time paralegals can see significant differences in annual earnings compared to their full-time counterparts. For instance, a paralegal working 24 hours a week may take home about $39,150 annually, which showcases the appeal of part-time roles while noting the trade-offs involved, especially in terms of benefits. Freelance or contractor work brings more variability in pay; per diem paralegal pay in Waukegan generally ranges between $25 and $50 per hour, with e-discovery specialists potentially earning $30 to $60 hourly. Different employer types also influence compensation, with BigLaw firms typically offering higher wages compared to smaller firms, while corporate in-house positions often balance salary with better work-life integration. Negotiating an hourly rate requires an understanding of these trends—candidates should emphasize experience and specialized skills to negotiate higher rates. In Waukegan, securing a position as a paralegal in emerging fields like e-discovery can represent not just competitive pay but also the opportunity for continued growth within the legal profession.
More salary data for Waukegan, 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 Waukegan. 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 Waukegan 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