Paralegals and Legal Assistants Pay Range in Illinois
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$46,860
- 25th Percentile — Junior$56,160
- 50th Percentile — Median$63,670
- 75th Percentile — Senior$81,970
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$104,580
Half of Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Illinois earn more than $63,670. The top 10% make $104,580 or more, while entry-level workers start around $46,860.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Illinois: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Illinois ranks 11th of 51 states for Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay, at $72,310 per year (3.7% above the U.S. average of $69,700).
- 14,130 people work as Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Illinois — 3.6% of all U.S. Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs.
- Location quotient 0.92: Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are less concentrated in Illinois than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $46,860; the top 10% earn over $104,580.
- Hourly equivalent: $34.76 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $95,400.
- Among legal jobs in Illinois, Lawyers pays the most ($181,240).
Paralegals and Legal Assistants Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation
Illinois's key industries are Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Paralegals and Legal Assistants here earn $72,310 on average, placing the state 11th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.05 (U.S. = 1.00), a Illinois salary of $72,310 is roughly equivalent to $68,867 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Minnesota ($73,960), Alaska ($73,440), Maryland ($73,060) are the closest alternatives for Paralegals and Legal Assistants weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Legal Jobs in Illinois
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Illinois?
The average Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Illinois is $72,310 per year (median $63,670), which is 3.7% above the national average of $69,700.
How does Illinois rank for Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay?
Illinois ranks 11th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($95,400/yr).
How much do entry-level Paralegals and Legal Assistants make in Illinois?
The lowest-paid 10% of Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Illinois earn about $46,860 per year and the 25th percentile is $56,160.
How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants make per hour in Illinois?
About $34.76 per hour, based on the $72,310 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Paralegals and Legal Assistants work in Illinois?
BLS counts 14,130 Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs in Illinois (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data