Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary in Illinois
The median pay for a paralegals and legal assistants in Illinois is $62,290/year ($29.95/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $44K at the entry level to $102K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $62K get you in Illinois?
About paralegals and legal assistants
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Illinois
Entry-level paralegals and legal assistants (10th percentile) start around $44K. Mid-career wages sit at $62K.Top earners bring in $102K or more - a $58K spread from bottom to top.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $99K | +63% | 5,880 |
| Washington | $78K | +28% | 9,070 |
| Massachusetts | $75K | +23% | 7,520 |
| California | $73K | +20% | 45,740 |
| Minnesota | $67K | +10% | 6,640 |
| New York | $66K | +9% | 28,510 |
| Oregon | $64K | +5% | 4,910 |
| Maryland | $64K | +4% | 5,770 |
| Connecticut | $63K | +4% | 4,920 |
| Vermont | $63K | +3% | 730 |
| New Jersey | $63K | +3% | 11,720 |
| Illinois | $62K | +2% | 12,430 |
| Nevada | $62K | +2% | 3,490 |
| Michigan | $61K | +1% | 7,240 |
| Nebraska | $61K | +1% | 1,570 |
Track paralegals and legal assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Illinois numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do paralegals and legal assistants make in Illinois?
The median is $62,290 a year - that works out to about $29.95 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,180, and experienced paralegals and legal assistants can clear $102,270. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $62K enough to live in Illinois?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,084/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $1,203/month (median of metro areas), which eats 29.5% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a paralegals and legal assistants salary go in Illinois?
Illinois has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median paralegals and legal assistants salary is worth about $62,290 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do paralegals and legal assistants get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.