Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL), the median pay for paralegals and legal assistants is $33.92 an hour ($70,550 a year). About 11,590 people work in this job there.
That is 12% higher than the U.S. median ($62,890). It is 11% higher than the Illinois median ($63,670).
Pay range for paralegals and legal assistants in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $24.11 | $50,160 |
| 25% of workers | $28.24 | $58,740 |
| Half of workers (median) | $33.92 | $70,550 |
| 75% of workers | $40.89 | $85,040 |
| 90% of workers | $50.98 | $106,040 |
Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay in Illinois metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (this page) | $70,550 | 11,590 |
| Peoria | $61,220 | 370 |
| Bloomington | $60,160 | 260 |
| Springfield | $59,990 | 230 |
| Rockford | $59,700 | 200 |
| Decatur | $59,690 | 30 |
| Champaign-Urbana | $58,580 | 100 |
Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for paralegals and legal assistants
- Typical education to start: Associate's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Job outlook: -0.3% over ten years, little or no change · about 40,800 openings a year (BLS)
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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.