The average paralegal salary in Illinois is $72,310 per year, or $34.76 per hour, about $2,600 more than the national average, according to May 2025 BLS data. Illinois doesn’t require paralegal certification or registration. The Illinois Paralegal Association publishes the Illinois Code of Paralegal Ethics, a professional ethics standard for the state. Explore ABA-approved programs to advance your pay.
Chicago, one of the nation’s largest metropolitan economies, is the primary contributor to Illinois’ strong paralegal profession. With 14,130 paralegals employed as of May 2025, Illinois ranks seventh in the country for paralegal employment.
Paralegal opportunities in Illinois can be found at major employers such as Deere in Moline and other large corporations. Some past employers have changed, though: Boeing has relocated its headquarters, and Sara Lee and OfficeMax no longer operate as standalone firms. State agencies, such as the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, and regional law firms with national reputations, such as Kirkland & Ellis, Mayer Brown, Winston & Strawn, and Sidley Austin, also offer strong career prospects.
Whether you’re an aspiring paralegal or an established one with specialized knowledge in estate law, real estate law, immigration law, or intellectual property law, understanding how to become a paralegal in Illinois means ensuring you have the credentials that today’s lawyers demand.
Associate Professor and Program Coordinator, Office Technology, Moraine Valley Community College
Cathi has spent years developing Moraine Valley’s coursework around the practical skills that paralegals use daily, from online document preparation to the exact filing formats required by local Illinois counties. She also coordinates internships, connecting students with local employers before graduation.
Interviewed for our faculty series. Not an author of this page.
Illinois Paralegal Requirements
Illinois does not require a paralegal to obtain a state paralegal license, registration, or certification. The Illinois Paralegal Association publishes the Illinois Code of Paralegal Ethics, which provides professional ethical standards for paralegals in the state. First adopted in 1996, the Code draws on the ethical standards set by the Illinois Supreme Court for attorneys, along with ethics canons from NFPA and NALA. It addresses expectations like not misrepresenting oneself as a lawyer or as someone who can offer legal counsel, and maintaining confidentiality and other standards of proper conduct.
Illinois Rule of Professional Conduct 5.3 imposes supervisory responsibilities on lawyers with respect to nonlawyer assistants, including paralegals: a supervising lawyer must make reasonable efforts to ensure the nonlawyer’s conduct is compatible with the lawyer’s own professional obligations, and can be held responsible for that conduct in specified circumstances.
Without a state license or educational requirement standing in the way, Illinois paralegals may begin their careers by finding employment that offers on-the-job training or by pursuing education in paralegal studies.
Paralegal Certification in Illinois
Paralegals may choose from several educational programs designed to prepare them for careers in the legal field. Certificate programs can be helpful for those with no prior education who wish to immerse themselves solely in paralegal studies without general education classes.
Certificate programs are also offered to aspiring paralegals who hold a degree in another field and want to add a focus to their studies. Instead of completing a second bachelor’s degree, they can earn a certificate in paralegal studies. Certificated paralegals are not the same as certified paralegals, who have passed a national certification exam.
For aspiring paralegals who wish to earn a degree, many programs offer associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in paralegal studies, and a few even offer master’s-level work. For any education program, from certificate through master’s, prospective students may want to consider whether a program is ABA-approved and whether its educational institution is appropriately accredited. You can explore ABA-approved paralegal programs across the United States.
As attorneys, corporations, and government agencies operate within an increasingly complex legal framework, the level of responsibility they expect paralegals to assume has also increased. Law offices and other employers in Illinois have come to rely on paralegals with the kind of expertise that can only be gained through earning a certificate or degree in paralegal studies.
Faculty Voice
“I have developed this course over the years to include such things as oral instructions, online document preparation, documents prepared in the format that our local counties require, ethics, work ethic, customer service skills, etc.
Associate Professor and Program Coordinator, Office Technology, Moraine Valley Community College
National Certification Options
Paralegals who wish to distinguish themselves in their field may choose to sit for national paralegal certification exams. Eligibility requirements vary by credential and may include specified combinations of education and paralegal work experience. Current national certification options include:
- The PACE and PCCE exams, offered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)
- The Certified Paralegal (CP®) Exam offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
- The Professional Paralegal (PP) credential from NALS, the Association for Legal Professionals, though its individual certification exams are currently on hiatus while NALS revises its certification program
Illinois Paralegal Salary Data
Long recognized as the financial, manufacturing, and logistics hub of the U.S. and home to some of the nation’s largest law firms, including Chicago’s Baker McKenzie LLP, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, and Sidley Austin LLP, Illinois remains one of the top states for paralegal jobs.
Home to 14,130 paralegal jobs as of May 2025, Illinois ranks seventh in the nation for paralegal employment. The average paralegal salary in Illinois is $72,310 per year, or $34.76 per hour, about $2,600 more than the national average of $69,700. The median paralegal salary in Illinois is $63,670 per year, or $30.61 per hour. Since the average sits above the median, pay in Illinois skews upward, meaning a smaller number of higher-paying roles are pulling the average up rather than most paralegals earning near the top. For a broader context on how Illinois compares nationally, see our comprehensive paralegal salary data.
Illinois paralegal salaries span a wide range depending on the employer, practice area, and location, rather than on years on the job alone. Paralegals in the 10th percentile of Illinois pay earn $46,860 per year ($22.53 per hour), while those in the 90th percentile earn $104,580 per year ($50.28 per hour). These figures describe where a salary falls in the overall pay distribution, not how experienced a given paralegal is.
Paralegal compensation is almost evenly divided between hourly and salaried pay. NALA survey data found that 51% of paralegals were salaried, while about 49% were paid hourly.
Employment for Illinois paralegals is projected to grow from 12,530 in 2024 to 12,780 by 2034, a gain of about 2%, with an estimated 1,340 average annual openings statewide, according to long-term state projections from ProjectionsCentral. Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects little or no change in paralegal employment through 2035, with about 40,800 average annual openings expected as paralegals retire or leave the occupation.
Average Paralegal Salary in Illinois by City
The Chicago and Peoria metro areas posted the highest average paralegal salaries among Illinois metro areas as of May 2025. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area also ranks fifth among all metro areas in the nation for its number of paralegals: 11,590 professionals. Major employers like Accenture and Hyatt Hotels, alongside Chicago’s dense concentration of large law firms, have helped keep paralegal jobs and salaries strong in the metro area.
| Metropolitan Area | Average Salary | Top 10% Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $74,920 ($36.02 per hour) | $106,040 ($50.98 per hour) |
| Peoria | $66,090 ($31.77 per hour) | $98,230 ($47.23 per hour) |
| Bloomington | $63,660 ($30.61 per hour) | $88,510 ($42.55 per hour) |
| Springfield | $62,490 ($30.04 per hour) | $78,350 ($37.67 per hour) |
| Decatur | $61,830 ($29.73 per hour) | $85,050 ($40.89 per hour) |
| Rockford | $61,790 ($29.71 per hour) | $80,610 ($38.75 per hour) |
| Champaign-Urbana | $61,400 ($29.52 per hour) | $80,020 ($38.47 per hour) |
Paralegal Schools in Illinois
Recent high school graduates, career-changers, and second-income seekers alike flock to Illinois with dreams of entering the booming paralegal field. And why not? Chicago is one of the largest cities in the country, home to millions of people living within and beyond its city limits. Because of Chicago’s expansive economic and cultural reach, educational institutions must hustle to remain competitive in attracting new students.
This competitive atmosphere benefits aspiring paralegals tremendously, as it opens up seemingly infinite diploma, certificate, and degree options in legal studies. The list below includes both ABA-approved and non-ABA-approved programs, from community colleges to major universities, with ABA-approval status noted under each school. Approval is voluntary on the institution’s part, and the ABA’s own directory updates each February and August, so confirm current status there before enrolling.
“Stover transitioned from her internship role at Gori Julian & Associates into a full-time job. ‘Working for Gori Julian & Associates has been the best experience of my professional career,’ Stover said. ‘My co-workers have been very supportive and accommodating throughout my internship and current position.’”
Rebecca Gockel · Lewis and Clark Community College
City Colleges of Chicago – Harold Washington College
ABA-approved.
AAS in Paralegal Studies – Campus
City Colleges of Chicago – Wilbur Wright College
ABA-approved.
AAS in Paralegal – Campus
College of DuPage
ABA-approved.
AAS in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Paralegal Certificate – Campus (undergraduate, post-associate)
College of Lake County
ABA-approved.
AAS in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Paralegal Certificate – Campus, online (post-associate, post-baccalaureate)
Dominican University
Not ABA-approved.
Bachelor of Professional Studies in Social Justice & Legal Studies, with a Paralegal Studies concentration – Campus, online
Elgin Community College
ABA-approved.
Paralegal Certificate – Campus, online (post-associate, post-baccalaureate)
Generations College
ABA-approved. Formerly MacCormac College, renamed in 2022.
AS in Legal Studies – Campus
Illinois Central College
Not ABA-approved.
AAS in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Paralegal Certificate – Campus (post-associate, post-baccalaureate)
Illinois State University
ABA-approved.
BA/BS in Legal Studies – Campus
Joliet Junior College
Not ABA-approved.
AAS in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Certificate of Achievement in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Kankakee Community College
AAS in Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies – Campus
Advanced Certificate in Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies – Campus
Kaskaskia College
Not ABA-approved. This is a legal office/administrative support program, not a paralegal training program.
Office Assistant Degree (AAS) – Campus
Legal Office Personnel Certificate – Campus (undergraduate, pre-degree)
Lake Land College
Not ABA-approved. This is a legal administrative support program, not a paralegal training program.
Office Assistant – Legal, AAS – Campus
Lewis & Clark Community College
AAS in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Certificate of Proficiency in Paralegal Studies – Campus (undergraduate)
Lewis University
ABA-approved.
BA in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Paralegal Studies-Minor – Campus
Loyola University Chicago
ABA-approved.
BA in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Certificate in Paralegal Studies – Campus, online
McHenry County College
Not ABA-approved.
AAS in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Paralegal Studies Certificate – Campus (post-associate, post-baccalaureate)
Moraine Valley Community College
Not ABA-approved.
AAS in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Paralegal Studies Certificate – Campus
Certificate, Legal Office Assistant – Campus (undergraduate, pre-degree)
Northwestern University
Not a paralegal-training program. Northwestern’s Legal Studies major and minor are academic, thesis-based liberal-arts programs, not vocational paralegal training, and are not ABA-approved.
Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Studies – Campus
Minor in Legal Studies – Campus
Oakton College
ABA-approved. Formerly Oakton Community College, renamed in 2023.
AAS in Paralegal Studies – Campus, online
Paralegal Studies Certificate – Campus, online (undergraduate, pre-degree)
- ABA-Approval: Yes
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Rasmussen University, part of American Public University System
Not ABA-approved. Rasmussen University combined with American Public University System on August 4, 2026.
Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies – Online
Paralegal Certificate – Online
Roosevelt University
ABA-approved: BA, Certificate, and Minor. Roosevelt’s ABA-approved credentials do not include an AAS. Verify directly with Roosevelt before listing one.
BA in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Minor in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Paralegal Certificate – Campus (post-baccalaureate)
South Suburban College
ABA-approved.
AAS in Paralegal/Legal Assistant – Campus, online
Paralegal/Legal Assistant Certificate – Campus, online (post-associate, post-baccalaureate)
Southern Illinois University – Carbondale
ABA-approved.
BS in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Paralegal Studies Certificate – Campus
Southwestern Illinois College
Not ABA-approved.
AAS in Paralegal Studies – Campus, hybrid
Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College
Not ABA-approved. Nationally accredited private career college, approved to operate by the Illinois Board of Higher Education, not accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
AAS in Paralegal Studies – Online
Paralegal Diploma – Online
University of Illinois – Springfield
Not ABA-approved.
MA in Legal Studies – Campus, online
BA in Legal Studies – Campus
Waubonsee Community College
AAS in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Post-Associate Certificate of Achievement in Paralegal Studies – Campus
William Rainey Harper College
ABA-approved.
AAS in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Paralegal Studies Certificate – Campus (post-associate, post-baccalaureate)
“This can be a real challenge. especially when it comes to technology. Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one? Paul: Yes, and the program coordinator or faculty adviser assigned to the interns will assist the student intern in finding a position.”
Paul D. Guymon · Harper College (at the time of this interview; retired 2020)
Paralegal Associations
Illinois offers two professional paralegal associations: The Illinois Paralegal Association, affiliated with NFPA, and the Central Illinois Paralegal Association, affiliated with NALA.
Illinois Paralegal Association (IPA)
The Illinois Paralegal Association (IPA) began in Chicago in the early 1970s and has since grown to include and support members from throughout Illinois. Its main goals include facilitating communication between paralegals and other individuals and organizations within their professional community, providing opportunities for continuing education and professional development, and promoting the visibility and growth of the paralegal profession. The IPA also offers a mentoring program for new paralegals, regular meetings to keep paralegals informed about developments in the legal field, and access to many online resources.
The IPA sponsors its own paralegal credential and offers these four levels of membership:
- Regular – Open to anyone who meets one of these requirements:
- A paralegal employed in Illinois
- An Illinois resident employed as a paralegal in any of Illinois’ neighboring states
- Associate – Open to anyone who meets one of the following:
- Illinois paralegals working part-time in the state
- Those formerly employed as paralegals
- Graduates of paralegal programs
- Student – Open to temporary or permanent Illinois residents enrolled in a formal paralegal studies program, as well as residents of neighboring states attending paralegal programs in Illinois
- Sustaining – Open to any person or entity that is interested in furthering the purposes of the IPA
The IPA sponsors the voluntary credential, Illinois Accredited Paralegal (ILAP). To be eligible, paralegals must be IPA Regular Members, satisfy IPA’s current employment and residency requirements, submit the required attorney declaration(s) attesting to their skill level, and meet one of the following education and experience conditions:
- Master’s degree in paralegal studies and one year of paralegal experience
- Master’s degree in any subject, a paralegal certificate, and one year of paralegal experience
- Master’s degree in any subject plus three years of paralegal experience
- Bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies plus one year of paralegal experience
- Bachelor’s degree in any field, a paralegal certificate, and one year of paralegal experience
- Bachelor’s degree in any field plus three years of paralegal experience
- Associate’s degree in paralegal studies plus two years of paralegal experience
- Associate’s degree in any field, a paralegal certificate, and two years of paralegal experience
- Associate’s degree in any field plus three years of paralegal experience
- Paralegal certificate plus four years of paralegal experience
- Five years of paralegal experience
- The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)’s Certified Paralegal (CP)/Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) credential, or the NFPA’s Registered Paralegal (RP) credential
Central Illinois Paralegal Association (CIPA)
The Central Illinois Paralegal Association (CIPA) sponsors monthly meetings throughout central Illinois to offer support, networking, and education to its members. CIPA encourages its members to learn and grow, thereby advancing and expanding the paralegal profession. CIPA offers an Annual Educational Seminar that provides continuing legal education units for paralegals and attorneys.
CIPA offers four levels of membership:
- Associate – Open to members of the bar association and the educational field who promote the paralegal concept
- Student – Open to full and part-time students enrolled in a paralegal studies program
- Sustaining – Open to anyone not directly involved in the paralegal profession, but who supports the promotion of the field
- Active – Open to anyone who meets one of the following:
- Paralegal studies program graduate – certificate or bachelor’s degree
- Has at least six months of in-house paralegal training
- Has passed NALA’s Certified Legal Assistant (CLA)/Certified Paralegal (CP) exam
Major Law Firms in Illinois
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the metropolitan area surrounding Chicago employs the fifth-greatest number of paralegals in the nation. Chicago is home to numerous large law firms that employ paralegals, including:
- Baker & McKenzie
- Sidley Austin
- Mayer Brown
- Kirkland & Ellis
- McDermott Will & Emery
- Winston & Strawn
- Seyfarth Shaw
- Katten Muchin Rosenman
- Hinshaw & Culbertson
- Jenner & Block
- Dykema Gossett
- Schiff Hardin
- Vedder Price
- Chapman and Cutler
- Neal Gerber and Eisenberg
Important Contacts for Illinois Paralegals
- Illinois Paralegal Association, affiliated with NFPA
- Central Illinois Paralegal Association, affiliated with NALA
- Illinois Code of Paralegal Ethics
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Illinois State Courts
- Illinois Secretary of State
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need certification to work as a paralegal in Illinois?
No. Illinois does not require a person working as a paralegal to obtain a state paralegal license, registration, or certification. The Illinois Paralegal Association publishes the Illinois Code of Paralegal Ethics, which provides professional ethical standards for paralegals in the state. While certification isn’t mandatory, earning credentials like the Illinois Accredited Paralegal (ILAP) or national certifications can help you stand out to employers.
What’s the average paralegal salary in Illinois?
As of May 2025, the average paralegal salary in Illinois is $72,310 per year, or $34.76 per hour. This is about $2,600 more than the national average. Paralegals in the 90th percentile of Illinois pay earn $104,580 or more annually. Salaries vary by location, with Chicago offering the highest average at $74,920.
What education do I need to become a paralegal in Illinois?
Illinois doesn’t have mandatory education requirements for paralegals. You can start through on-the-job training or by earning a certificate, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or even a master’s degree in paralegal studies. Many employers prefer candidates with formal education, especially from ABA-approved programs. Illinois offers numerous paralegal programs at community colleges and universities throughout the state.
What’s the Illinois Accredited Paralegal (ILAP) credential?
The ILAP is a voluntary credential sponsored by the Illinois Paralegal Association (IPA). To qualify, you must be an IPA Regular Member and meet specific education and experience requirements, ranging from a master’s degree with one year of experience to five years of paralegal experience alone. The credential helps you stand out in Illinois’ competitive legal market.
Which Illinois cities pay paralegals the most?
Chicago leads with an average paralegal salary of $74,920 per year. Peoria follows at $66,090, and Bloomington comes in third at $63,660. The Chicago metro area employs 11,590 paralegals, making it the fifth-largest market for paralegals in the nation. Major corporations and prestigious law firms in Chicago contribute to these higher salary levels.
Are there professional paralegal associations in Illinois?
Yes, Illinois has two main professional associations. The Illinois Paralegal Association (IPA), affiliated with NFPA, serves members throughout the state and offers the ILAP credential, mentoring programs, and continuing education. The Central Illinois Paralegal Association (CIPA), affiliated with NALA, focuses on the central Illinois region and provides networking, monthly meetings, and annual educational seminars.
Key Takeaways
- Illinois does not require a state paralegal license, registration, or certification. The Illinois Paralegal Association publishes the Illinois Code of Paralegal Ethics, a professional ethics standard first adopted in 1996
- With 14,130 paralegals employed, Illinois ranks seventh nationally for paralegal employment
- The average paralegal salary in Illinois is $72,310 annually, about $2,600 above the national average
- Chicago offers the highest salaries at $74,920 on average, with the 90th percentile earning over $106,040
- Illinois offers numerous ABA-approved paralegal programs at community colleges and universities across the state
- The Illinois Paralegal Association (IPA) offers the voluntary ILAP credential for qualified members
- Major law firms in Chicago, including Kirkland & Ellis, Mayer Brown, and Sidley Austin, are among the metro area’s large paralegal employers
Ready to Start Your Illinois Paralegal Career?
Explore ABA-approved paralegal programs across Illinois and take the first step toward joining one of the nation’s top legal markets.
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Paralegals and Legal Assistants. Long-term 2024-34 job growth projections from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, ProjectionsCentral. Figures reflect city, state, and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed August 2026.
