Paralegal Salary in Illinois: $71,555 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Illinois's 64 metropolitan areas, the average median paralegal pay sits at $71,555/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-2011. Because Illinois sits at BEA RPP 97.1 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $73,692 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Naperville ($71,287), Chicago ($70,550), Elgin ($69,921).

Paralegal Salary in Illinois - 2025 BLS Data Infographic — Illinois paralegal salary overview (2026)

$71,555

Avg Median Salary

$34.40

Avg Hourly Rate

13,391

Metro Employed

Cities

In Illinois, the average median salary for paralegals in 2026 is projected to be $71,555, which is 9.9% higher than the national median of $65,097. The highest-paying city in the state is Naperville, where paralegals can expect to earn $73,789, while Carbondale represents the lowest end of the spectrum at $58,162. This salary gap of $15,627 is largely driven by factors such as the cost of living, concentration of legal firms, and local demand for legal services in different regions. Illinois does not require a state license for paralegals, but it is beneficial to have formal education or certification. The scope of practice laws also dictate the responsibilities of paralegals, creating a nuanced environment for job seekers. The total number of employed paralegals in the state stands at 13,391, with strong job market prospects reflected in a projected annual growth rate of 3.51%. Major urban areas contribute significantly to job opportunities, with Chicago and Elgin also offering attractive salaries at $73,026 and $72,375, respectively. Understanding these dynamics can help prospective paralegals make informed decisions about their career paths in Illinois.

Illinois Paralegal Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)

$50,973

avg across 64 cities

Median

$71,555

state average

Top Earners (90th %ile)

$107,391

avg across 64 cities

Overall salary range in Illinois: $41,235 (lowest entry-level) to $114,373 (highest top earner)

Illinois vs National Average

Illinois

$71,555

National Median

$65,097

Illinois paralegals earn 9.92% more than the national median (+$6,458/year difference).

Illinois Paralegal Salary Distribution (2026)

Paralegal salaries in Illinois range from $50,973 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $107,391 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $71,555. The Illinois median is $6,458 above the US national median of $65,097. The average hourly rate is $34.40/hr. Approximately 13,391 paralegals are employed across 64 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$57,310

2025 BLS Actual

$69,129

2026 Current Est.

$71,555

2019–2027 Growth

+29.2%

Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Illinois (2019–2027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected

Year	Annual Salary	Status
2019	$57,310	Actual
2020	$57,389	Actual
2021	$58,838	Actual
2022	$61,562	Actual
2023	$57,390	Actual
2024	$65,749	Actual
2025	$69,129	Actual
2026(current)	$71,555	Estimated
2027	$74,067	Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Illinois metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 20.6% from $57,310 (2019) to $69,129 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,067 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,757 (29.24%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Illinois 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.

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Illinois

Naperville

23 employed · $35.47/hr

$73,789

+3.12% vs avg

Chicago

11,590 employed · $35.11/hr

$73,026

+2.06% vs avg

Elgin

16 employed · $34.80/hr

$72,375

+1.15% vs avg

Peoria

370 employed · $30.46/hr

$63,369

-11.44% vs avg

Orland Park

9 employed · $30.27/hr

$62,962

-12.01% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Illinois

City	Median Salary	vs State Avg	Hourly
Carbondale	$58,162	-18.72%	$27.96
Elmhurst	$58,742	-17.91%	$28.24
Calumet City	$58,886	-17.71%	$28.31
Galesburg	$58,905	-17.68%	$28.32
Crystal Lake	$59,132	-17.36%	$28.42

Best Value Cities for Paralegals in Illinois

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Illinois cities offer the most purchasing power for paralegals.

City	Nominal Salary	CoL Index	Adjusted Salary
Naperville	$73,789	97.1	$75,993
Elgin	$72,375	97.1	$74,537
Chicago	$73,026	103.595	$70,492
Decatur	$61,785	88.422	$69,875
Peoria	$63,369	91.231	$69,460

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Illinois

Experience Level	Estimated Annual	Est. Hourly	Description
Entry Level (0-2 years)	$50,973	$24.51	10th percentile, new graduates
Mid Career (3-7 years)	$71,555	$34.40	50th percentile, median salary
Experienced (7+ years)	$107,391	$51.63	90th percentile, top earners

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Illinois metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 64 Cities in Illinois

#	City	Median Salary	Hourly	Entry (P10)	Top (P90)	Employed
1	Naperville	$73,789	$35.47	$49,968	$114,373	23
2	Chicago	$73,026	$35.11	$51,921	$109,762	11,590
3	Elgin	$72,375	$34.80	$52,272	$112,182	16
4	Peoria	$63,369	$30.46	$44,426	$101,678	370
5	Orland Park	$62,962	$30.27	$44,940	$97,591	9
6	Bolingbrook	$62,692	$30.14	$42,220	$97,172	19
7	Bloomington	$62,272	$29.94	$48,225	$91,617	260
8	Palatine	$62,220	$29.91	$42,954	$96,441	16
9	Waukegan	$62,186	$29.89	$43,128	$96,387	18
10	Springfield	$62,096	$29.85	$44,551	$81,100	230
11	Mount Prospect	$62,068	$29.84	$42,856	$96,205	13
12	Hoffman Estates	$61,866	$29.74	$42,393	$95,892	8
13	Rockford	$61,795	$29.71	$41,849	$83,439	200
14	Decatur	$61,785	$29.71	$46,869	$88,035	30
15	Evanston	$61,748	$29.69	$42,121	$95,709	16
16	Joliet	$61,695	$29.67	$44,094	$95,628	25
17	Oak Park	$61,644	$29.63	$41,885	$95,549	10
18	Danville	$61,517	$29.57	$44,975	$94,325	5
19	Addison	$61,387	$29.51	$44,660	$95,149	6
20	Berwyn	$61,359	$29.50	$41,235	$95,106	12
21	Aurora	$61,319	$29.48	$43,249	$95,045	44
22	Tinley Park	$61,310	$29.48	$45,778	$95,030	8
23	Northbrook	$61,247	$29.45	$44,260	$94,933	8
24	St. Charles	$61,209	$29.43	$44,232	$93,244	7
25	Gurnee	$61,194	$29.42	$44,198	$93,345	8
26	Arlington Heights	$61,108	$29.38	$45,557	$94,718	18
27	Wheaton	$61,029	$29.35	$45,374	$94,596	14
28	Woodridge	$61,011	$29.33	$43,695	$92,555	9
29	Schaumburg	$60,981	$29.31	$45,197	$94,520	13
30	Buffalo Grove	$60,963	$29.31	$46,774	$94,493	7
31	Bartlett	$60,958	$29.30	$43,633	$92,521	9
32	Lake in the Hills	$60,731	$29.20	$43,030	$94,134	6
33	Collinsville	$60,722	$29.19	$43,072	$93,850	5
34	Skokie	$60,706	$29.19	$44,557	$94,094	12
35	Champaign	$60,636	$29.15	$47,521	$82,829	100
36	Wheeling	$60,615	$29.14	$45,932	$93,954	6
37	Carpentersville	$60,548	$29.11	$45,832	$93,849	8
38	Oak Lawn	$60,508	$29.09	$43,916	$93,787	14
39	O'Fallon	$60,495	$29.09	$42,535	$93,768	6
40	Urbana	$60,416	$29.04	$46,664	$93,644	6
41	Quincy	$60,259	$28.97	$41,980	$93,402	6
42	Algonquin	$60,259	$28.97	$41,725	$93,402	5
43	Carol Stream	$60,207	$28.94	$41,855	$93,320	10
44	Normal	$60,203	$28.94	$41,707	$93,315	8
45	Lombard	$60,167	$28.93	$41,765	$93,259	8
46	Cicero	$60,105	$28.90	$43,239	$93,163	21
47	Moline	$60,078	$28.88	$43,313	$91,848	10
48	Plainfield	$60,042	$28.87	$46,171	$93,065	11
49	Des Plaines	$60,032	$28.86	$43,072	$93,049	12
50	Oswego	$59,802	$28.76	$45,591	$92,693	7
51	DeKalb	$59,753	$28.72	$45,728	$92,618	9
52	Park Ridge	$59,706	$28.70	$45,612	$92,544	7
53	Hanover Park	$59,681	$28.69	$45,554	$92,505	6
54	Glenview	$59,677	$28.69	$45,542	$92,499	12
55	Romeoville	$59,435	$28.58	$44,967	$92,125	7
56	Streamwood	$59,354	$28.54	$44,771	$91,999	8
57	Downers Grove	$59,243	$28.49	$44,508	$91,827	11
58	Belleville	$59,228	$28.48	$44,474	$91,804	10
59	Rock Island	$59,148	$28.43	$41,353	$90,563	5
60	Crystal Lake	$59,132	$28.42	$44,245	$91,655	9
61	Galesburg	$58,905	$28.32	$43,710	$91,303	4
62	Calumet City	$58,886	$28.31	$43,665	$91,012	7
63	Elmhurst	$58,742	$28.24	$43,326	$90,662	9
64	Carbondale	$58,162	$27.96	$46,303	$89,170	5

More Illinois Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore paralegal hourly pay in Illinois cities.

Naperville →Chicago →Elgin →

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new paralegals.

Naperville →Chicago →Elgin →

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced paralegals.

Naperville →Chicago →Elgin →

Compare Cities in Illinois

Chicago, ILvsPeoria, IL Chicago, ILvsBloomington, IL Chicago, ILvsSpringfield, IL Chicago, ILvsRockford, IL Chicago, ILvsChampaign, IL Chicago, ILvsAurora, IL

View all comparisons →

Explore More Paralegal Salary Data

National OverviewMedian salary & full US data Entry-Level SalariesStarting pay & new grad earnings Hourly Pay RatesPer-hour rates & part-time income Highest Paying StatesTop states ranked by salary

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do paralegals make in Illinois in 2026?

The average median paralegal salary in Illinois is $71,555/year across 64 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $58,162 in Carbondale to $73,789 in Naperville. This makes Illinois one of the higher-paying states, at 9.92% above the national median of $65,097. The state employs approximately 13,391 paralegals.

What is the highest paying city for paralegals in Illinois?

Naperville offers the highest paralegal salary in Illinois at $73,789/year ($35.47/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Naperville ($73,789), Chicago ($73,026), Elgin ($72,375). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for paralegal studies services, and competition among employers for licensed paralegals.

How does Illinois paralegal pay compare to the national average?

Illinois's average paralegal salary of $71,555 is 9.92% above the national median of $65,097 in 2026. The state employs approximately 13,391 paralegals across 64 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level paralegal salary in Illinois?

Entry-level paralegals (10th percentile) in Illinois earn approximately $50,973/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $41,235 in lower-paying areas to $52,272 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many paralegals are employed in Illinois?

Illinois employs approximately 13,391 paralegals across 64 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. This makes Illinois one of the larger employers of paralegals nationally. Demand continues to grow as the paralegal studies field expands and the population ages.

Which Illinois city offers the best value for paralegals?

When adjusted for cost of living, Naperville offers the highest purchasing power for paralegals in Illinois, with an adjusted salary of $75,993 (nominal: $73,789, CoL index: 97.1). This means your dollar goes 3% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.

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.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Garcia, CLAData verified by Ayesha Khan, CP

Methodology & Data Source

Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 paralegal compensation across Illinois. State averages are employment-weighted across 64 metro areas — larger metro areas with more paralegalscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (2019–2025). 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

Last verified: June 9, 2026

Share:Facebook X LinkedIn Email