Paralegal Salary in Lombard, IL: $60,167 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Lombard, IL earns a median $60,167/year (≈ $28.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Lombard's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $61,964 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lombard, Illinois, the projected paralegal salary for 2026 stands at $60,167, reflecting a competitive yet nuanced market influenced by the distinction between BigLaw practices, mid-sized firms, and small boutique operations. Salary ranges from $41,765 at the tenth percentile to $93,259 at the ninetieth percentile indicate considerable variability. These figures, based on 2025 BLS estimates adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight the impact of firm tier on compensation. Generally, larger firms tend to offer higher salaries, yet small firms might provide unique opportunities for career growth and work-life balance that could appeal more to some candidates. Understanding this divide can help aspiring paralegals assess their potential earnings and career trajectories in Lombard's legal landscape.
About the Lombard Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,765 | $20.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,363 | $24.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,167 | $28.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,259 | $44.84 |
Median Salary Position
7.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lombard
In Lombard, IL, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,494 (2026 est.). At $60,167, the local median is 7.57% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lombard: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lombard Paralegal Pay Compares
Lombard median: $60,167/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lombard Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $62,092 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -7.57% less |
Paralegals in Lombard, IL earn a median of $60,167 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.57% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 3.10% below the Illinois state average of $62,092.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lombard has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lombard, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $60,167 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,964 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,821
2025 BLS Actual
$58,127
2026 Current Est.
$60,167
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Lombard (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,821 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,912 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,971 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,716 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,352 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,215 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,127 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,167 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,279 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lombard metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.6% from $47,821 (2019) to $58,127 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,279 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,458 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lombard 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $41,765 – $50,363 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,363 – $60,167 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,167 – $76,590 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,590 – $93,259 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Lombard
Examining the local job market, only eight paralegals are currently employed in Lombard, which may suggest a more competitive landscape for job opportunities in this area. The cost-of-living index of 97.1, slightly below the national average, means that take-home pay here goes further than in more expensive metropolitan areas. Employers within Lombard that typically provide the most lucrative positions include larger law firms and in-house corporate legal departments, which often outpace smaller firms and government positions in salary offerings. Factors contributing to the variance in salaries in this region encompass firm type, legal specialty—such as e-discovery, which demands higher pay—and certifications such as those from NALA or NFPA that can enhance a candidate's marketability. For paralegals looking to maximize their earning potential in Lombard, pursuing specialization in fast-growing fields and obtaining relevant certifications can be worthwhile strategies to consider, aligning skill sets with market demand.
More salary data for Lombard, 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $58,127 for paralegalsin the Lombard metropolitan area. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lombard 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