📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Lawyer Salary in Illinois (2026)

Illinois · 5.0% above national average · High Demand

Average
$180,117
per year
Median
$153,048
per year
Hourly
$86.59
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$74,713
25th Percentile — Junior$111,860
50th Percentile — Median$153,048
75th Percentile — Senior$195,440
90th Percentile — Top Earners$231,067
💡 Top-earning Lawyers in Illinois make up to $231,067 per year. The job market in Illinois is rated strong, with key industries including Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$151.7k
2021
$157.0k
2022
$162.5k
2023
$168.1k
2024
$174.0k
2025
$180.1k
2026
📈 Lawyer salaries in Illinois have followed the national trend with 3.5% annual growth. The strong demand in Illinois's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Lawyer Salary by City in Illinois
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Chicago $201,731 +12.0% High
Aurora $183,719 +2.0% High
🔍
Lawyer Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation

Illinois is home to a strong job market for Lawyers. The state's key industries — Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $180,117 per year, Illinois's Lawyer salaries are 5.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Illinois (index: 1.05) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in Illinois can expect to earn $74,713–$111,860, while experienced Lawyers can command $195,440–$231,067.

Looking ahead, the Lawyer profession in Illinois is projected to grow at 3.5% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Finance continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Lawyer salary in Illinois is $180,117 per year in 2026, which is 5.0% above the national average of $171,540.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Lawyers the highest wages in Illinois due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Illinois has a strong job market with major industries in Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Lawyer employment.
  • At $180,117/year, Illinois Lawyer salaries are 5.0% higher than the national average of $171,540/year.