Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary in Chicago, IL (2026)
Source: BLS OEWS · Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN · 10,250 employed
The average Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Chicago, IL is $71,960 per year. The middle 50% of Paralegals and Legal Assistantss earn between $48,960 and $82,500. Top earners in the 90th percentile make $104,190 or more. Entry-level positions typically start around $47,950. The median of $66,930 is above the mean, reflecting the wage distribution in this field.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary Breakdown in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (Entry-level) | $47,950 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,960 |
| Median (50th Percentile) | $66,930 |
| Mean (Average) | $71,960 |
| 75th Percentile | $82,500 |
| 90th Percentile (Top earners) | $104,190 |
Related Jobs in Chicago, IL
| Occupation | Mean Annual |
|---|---|
| Lawyers | $186,270 |
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $138,170 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $126,380 |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $108,420 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $70,250 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $62,970 |
Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salaries in Other Cities
| City | Mean Annual |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $101,760 |
| San Francisco, CA | $91,000 |
| Seattle, WA | $90,680 |
| Washington, DC | $86,540 |
| Boston, MA | $81,980 |
| Denver, CO | $80,410 |
| Midland, MI | $79,570 |
| New York, NY | $77,050 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Chicago, IL?
The average Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Chicago, IL is $71,960 per year, according to BLS OEWS.
What is the median Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Chicago, IL?
The median Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Chicago, IL is $66,930 per year. Half of Paralegals and Legal Assistantss earn more than this and half earn less.
How much do entry-level Paralegals and Legal Assistantss make in Chicago, IL?
Entry-level Paralegals and Legal Assistantss in Chicago, IL typically earn around $47,950 per year (10th percentile). Workers in the 25th percentile earn about $48,960.
What do the highest-paid Paralegals and Legal Assistantss earn in Chicago, IL?
The highest-paid Paralegals and Legal Assistantss in Chicago, IL earn $104,190 or more per year (90th percentile). The 75th percentile wage is $82,500.
How many Paralegals and Legal Assistantss work in Chicago, IL?
There are approximately 10,250 Paralegals and Legal Assistantss employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area, per BLS OEWS.