Lawyers pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL), the median pay for lawyers is $79.64 an hour ($165,660 a year). About 28,320 people work in this job there.
That is 4% higher than the U.S. median ($159,670). It is 3% higher than the Illinois median ($160,800).
Pay range for lawyers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $41.86 | $87,070 |
| 25% of workers | $51.43 | $106,980 |
| Half of workers (median) | $79.64 | $165,660 |
| 75% of workers | $111.67 | $232,270 |
| 90% of workers | $159.20 | $331,140 |
Lawyers pay in Illinois metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (this page) | $165,660 | 28,320 |
| Peoria | $161,150 | 560 |
| Springfield | $131,400 | 530 |
| Champaign-Urbana | $129,990 | 250 |
| Bloomington | $124,100 | 530 |
| Kankakee | $107,030 | 50 |
| Rockford | $103,190 | 340 |
| Decatur | $100,790 | 70 |
Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for lawyers
- Typical education to start: Doctoral or professional degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +4.7% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 28,700 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $78,640 |
| Compliance Officers | $82,020 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $81,740 |
| Chief Executives | $344,960 |
| Labor Relations Specialists | $103,570 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.