How much does a paralegal and legal assistant make in Chicago?
$70,550a year
Median yearly pay for paralegal and legal assistants in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $33.92 an hour or $5,879 a month.
- Hourly
- $33.92
- Vs. national median
- +12%
- Rank among cities
- 27 of 376
- Jobs in the area
- 11,590
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $50,160Median: $70,550Highest 10%: $106,000
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,160 | $24.12 | |
| 25th | $58,740 | $28.24 | |
| Median | $70,550 | $33.92 | |
| 75th | $85,040 | $40.88 | |
| 90th | $106,000 | $50.98 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for paralegal and legal assistants.
| St. Louis, MO | $61,970 |
| Peoria, IL | $61,220 |
| Bloomington, IL | $60,160 |
| Springfield, IL | $59,990 |
| Rockford, IL | $59,700 |
| Paducah, KY | $59,110 |
| Champaign, IL | $58,580 |
| Davenport, IA | $57,030 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $46,160 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Lawyer | $165,700 |
| Judge | $146,400 |
| Administrative Law Judge | $121,700 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $66,640 |
| Legal Support Worker | $63,240 |
| Title Examiner | $56,710 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paralegal and legal assistant make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $33.92 ($70,550 a year).
Do paralegal and legal assistants make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $70,550 against $62,890 nationally, 12% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $63,670, so Chicago pays 11% more.
Where does Chicago rank for paralegal and legal assistant pay?
27 of 376 metro areas with data.
How much does a paralegal and legal assistant make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $50,160 or less a year; the top 10% make $106,000 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.