Long recognized as the financial, manufacturing, and logistics hub of the U.S. and home to some of the nation’s largest law firms like Chicago’s Baker McKenzie LLP, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, and Sidley Austin LLP, Illinois continues its reign as one of the top states in the country for paralegal jobs.
Paralegal Job Market Trends in Illinois
Home to 12,430 paralegal jobs as of May 2024, Illinois ranks seventh in the nation for its employment of these legal support professionals. The average paralegal salary in Illinois is $68,960, or $33.15 per hour – that’s about $2,000 more than the national average.
But the most impressive salaries go to those paralegals who have risen through the ranks through a blend of experience and specialized knowledge and skills in a legal focus like criminal litigation, family law, estate law, or commercial litigation. As of May 2024, the top 10% of paralegals in Illinois earn a salary that starts at $102,270, or $49.17 per hour, which is about $33,000 more annually than the state average.
Average Paralegal Salary in Illinois by City
The Chicago and Decatur metro areas pulled out ahead of Illinois’ other metro areas in terms of average paralegal salaries, as of May 2024. The Chicagoland area is also ranked seventh among all cities in the nation for its number of paralegals: 10,250 professionals. Major corporations like Boeing, Accenture, and Hyatt Hotels have allowed jobs and salaries for paralegals in Chicago to remain strong.
Chicago:
- Average – $71,960 ($34.60 hourly)
- Top 10% – $104,190 ($50.09 hourly)
Decatur:
- Average – $67,100 ($32.26 hourly)
- Top 10% – $90,160 ($43.35 hourly)
Springfield:
- Average – $60,670 ($29.17 hourly)
- Top 10% – $82,790 ($39.80 hourly)
Peoria:
- Average – $60,040 ($28.87 hourly)
- Top 10% – $89,020 ($42.80 hourly)
Bloomington:
- Average – $58,440 ($28.09 hourly)
- Top 10% – $82,080 ($39.46 hourly)
Champaign-Urbana:
- Average – $55,210 ($26.54 hourly)
- Top 10% – $76,310 ($36.69 hourly)
Rockford:
- Average – $54,400 ($26.15 hourly)
- Top 10% – $76,140 ($36.61 hourly)
May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary, growth, and job market trends for paralegals and legal assistants. Figures represent state data, not school specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2025.