Illinois Median
$63,670
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.61
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+1% vs US median
US median $62,890
State Rank
#15 of 51
14,130 employed here
How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants make in Illinois?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Illinois take home a median of $63,670 annually — roughly $30.61 an hour — which runs 1% above the national median of $62,890.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $46,860 while the top 10% make $104,580 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $56,160 and $81,970 a year.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,860 | $22.53 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $56,160 | $27.00 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $63,670 | $30.61 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $81,970 | $39.41 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,580 | $50.28 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 15th out of 51 states and territories for Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in other states
District of Columbia $89,750Washington $79,400Colorado $78,190Massachusetts $77,640California $77,390Minnesota $75,570New Jersey $71,500Alaska $68,700New York $68,410Vermont $67,160Maryland $65,640Nevada $64,680Virginia $63,990Connecticut $63,820Pennsylvania $63,370Nebraska $63,250Utah $63,220Delaware $63,110Hawaii $62,840Maine $62,420Georgia $62,400Texas $62,310Michigan $62,170New Hampshire $62,040Arizona $61,630Oregon $61,490Missouri $61,410Florida $61,000Ohio $60,420Louisiana $60,250New Mexico $59,840Kentucky $59,830North Dakota $59,430West Virginia $59,000Tennessee $58,820Wisconsin $58,500South Dakota $58,320North Carolina $57,500Montana $57,290Indiana $57,030Rhode Island $56,250Kansas $55,000Iowa $54,550South Carolina $53,880Oklahoma $53,170Idaho $49,690Wyoming $49,490Arkansas $47,420Alabama $47,260Mississippi $46,180
Working as Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Illinois
Nationally, about 393,000 people work as Paralegals and Legal Assistants in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($63,670) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants make in Illinois?
The median Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Illinois is $63,670 per year, or about $30.61 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,860 at the entry level to $104,580 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Paralegals and Legal Assistants about 1% more than the national median of $62,890. Illinois ranks 15th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $63,670 a year. About 14,130 Paralegals and Legal Assistants are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.